\Stac*ca"to\, a. [It., p. p. of staccere, equivalent to
distaccare. See {Detach}.]
1. (Mus.) Disconnected; separated; distinct; -- a direction
   to perform the notes of a passage in a short, distinct,
   and pointed manner. It is opposed to {legato}, and often
   indicated by heavy accents written over or under the
   notes, or by dots when the performance is to be less
   distinct and emphatic.

2. Expressed in a brief, pointed manner.

         Staccato and peremptory [literary criticism]. --G.
                                               Eliot.