Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!) Easter eggs (New!)

Literary notes about tempo (AI summary)

In literature, “tempo” is a versatile term that functions both as a marker of rhythmic pace and as a signifier of the passage or quality of time. In rhetorical works, for instance, it is used to instruct speakers on modulating their pace to maintain impact and avoid monotony [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Meanwhile, in poetic and classical texts the term can evoke the emotional cadence of a moment—imbuing scenes with nostalgia, sorrow, or fleeting joy, as illustrated in passages where recalling a “happy time” yields profound grief [7, 8, 9]. Additionally, “tempo” appears in proverbial wisdom and historical narratives, where it can denote the proper moment for an action or capture a bygone era, thereby enriching both the literal and metaphorical layers of expression [10, 11, 12].
  1. However, many passages cannot be changed to a slow tempo without destroying their force.
    — from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein
  2. It matters little how well you have mastered poise, pause, modulation, and tempo, if your speech lacks fire it is dead.
    — from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein
  3. 6. Note the changes of tempo in a conversation or speech that you hear.
    — from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein
  4. Reverse the instructions given, delivering everything that is marked for slow tempo, quickly; and everything that is marked for quick tempo, slowly.
    — from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein
  5. Note the change of tempo indicated in the following, and how it gives a pleasing variety.
    — from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein
  6. Be careful in regulating your tempo not to get your movement too fast.
    — from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein
  7. The reference is to Dante, Inferno , v. 121-3: ­ Nessun maggior dolore Che ricordarsi del tempo felice Nella miseria.
    — from The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson by Baron Alfred Tennyson Tennyson
  8. El par che voi veggiate, se ben odo, dinanzi quel che 'l tempo seco adduce, e nel presente tenete altro modo>>.
    — from Divina Commedia di Dante: Inferno by Dante Alighieri
  9. Elena vedi, per cui tanto reo tempo si volse, e vedi 'l grande Achille, che con amore al fine combatteo.
    — from Divina Commedia di Dante: Inferno by Dante Alighieri
  10. Chi compra a tempo, compra a buon mercato.
    — from A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs
  11. Il buon marinaro si conosce al cattivo tempo.
    — from A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs
  12. In the United States, at any rate, the tempo of assimilation has been more rapid than elsewhere.
    — from Introduction to the Science of Sociology by E. W. Burgess and Robert Ezra Park

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, Scrabble


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Compound Your Joy