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| Definitely a concerted effort here (photo by Napat Chaichanasiri) |
CONCERT
Verb. Late 16th century.
[French concerter from Italian concertare bring into agreement or harmony, of unknown origin.]
1 obsolete. verb trans. Bring to agreement or unity. L16-L17
2 verb trans. Arrange to carry out, agree (plans, action, etc.) with or with another person etc. or others;
contrive by mutual agreement;
plan or effect (coordinated action). L17
3 verb intrans. Arrange a matter by agreement with someone; act in harmony with. E18
4 verb intrans. Sing or play in concert. rare. E19
Also:
concerted participial adj.
(a) arranged by mutual agreement, done in concert, coordinated;
(b) MUSIC arranged in parts for several voices or instruments;
(c) united in action or intentions; earlier in UNCONCERTED. E18
You can't make a solo concerted effort. If you're ever tempted to say: "I'm going to make a concerted effort to tidy my office, get my tax done, stop harassing my ex, etc," consider using concentrated, strenuous, determined or definite effort instead. Because that's what you really mean, isn't it. And using concerted like that makes you look daft, doesn't it. And it doesn't make any sense.
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| (photo by Robert Clemens) |
Do please leave your most unconcerted comments in the box below.
As a piano teacher I play a lot of duets. It's sometimes quite a surprise when we both reach the end of the piece at the same time and discover that the music really was supposed to sound like that.
ReplyDeleteWhen you tell people you play the piano, do they ever say "What! With both hands?"
DeleteThat drives me nuts!
Up till now I had never thought of using the word any other way, than in regard to music.
ReplyDeleteHm, now ... if I go to hear one pianist play ~ would I still say I am going to a concert?
I suppose it's okay ... since (hopefully) his ten fingers are "in harmony" with each other ... ;o)