1. with the bow (used as a direction in music to play a stringed instrument with a bow rather than plucking)
Usage: musical direction; Italian origin; opposite of pizzicato

1. played with a bow (describing a stringed instrument passage)
Usage: musical term

Examples

• The conductor marked the passage arco to indicate the violins should use their bows.
• After a pizzicato section, the cellist switched back to arco playing.
• The score specified arco for the entire movement.
• She played the opening arco with smooth, flowing strokes.
• The string quartet returned to arco technique in the final measures.