n. pl. vi·bra·tos A tremulous or pulsating effect produced in an instrumental or vocal tone by minute and rapid variations in pitch. [Italian, from Late Latin vibrātus, a quivering, from Latin, past participle of vibrāre, to vibrate; see VIBRATE.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.