melopiano (melopiano)

[NL., song, + It. piano: see piano.] A form of pianoforte, invented by Caldara in 1870, on which a sustained tone, with a chance for crescendo and diminuendo effects, is made po ible through an ingenious arrangement of little hammers that strike rapidly upon the strings and thus prolong and control their vibration. The quality of the tone produced is sweet and effective. me lop last (mel'ō-plast), n. [ πλάστης, a molder, modeler,