TEMPO

tempo, pacing

(noun) (music) the speed at which a composition is to be played

tempo, pace

(noun) the rate of some repeating event

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

tempo (plural tempos or tempi)

A frequency or rate.

(chess) A move which is part of one's own plan or strategy and forces, e.g. by means of a check or attacking a piece, the opponent to make a move which is not bad but of no use for him (the player gains a tempo, the opponent loses a tempo), or equivalently a player achieves the same result in fewer moves by one approach rather than another.

(bridge) The timing advantage of being on lead, thus being first to initiate a strategy to develop tricks for one's side.

The timing of a particular event – earlier or later than in an alternative situation (as in chess example)

(music) The number of beats per minute in a piece of music; also, an indicative term denoting approximate rate of speed in written music (examples: allegro, andante)

(cycling) The steady pace set by the frontmost riders.

A small truck or cargo van with three or four wheels, commonly used for commercial transport and deliveries (particularly in Asian and African countries): a genericized trademark, originally associated with the manufacturer Vidal & Sohn Tempo-Werke GmbH.

(American football) A rapid rate of play by the offense resulting from reducing the amount of time which elapses after one play ends and the next starts.

Usage notes

The plural tempi is only used for the musical sense; all other meanings have the plural tempos.

Source: Wiktionary

Tem"po, n. Etym: [It., fr. L. tempus. See Tense, n.] (Mus.)

Definition: The rate or degree of movement in time. A tempo giusto (joos"to) Etym: [It.], in exact time; -- sometimes, directing a return to strict time after a tempo rubato.

– Tempo rubato. See under Rubato.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition