The Collaborative International Dictionary
Portamento \Por`ta*men"to\, n. [It., fr. portare to carry.] (Mus.) In singing, or in the use of the bow, a gradual carrying or lifting of the voice or sound very smoothly from one note to another; a gliding from tone to tone.
Wiktionary
n. (context music English) A smooth, gliding transition from one note to another; used especially with stringed instruments, and sometimes on brass.
Wikipedia
In music, portamento (plural: portamenti, from , meaning "carriage" or "carrying") is a pitch sliding from one note to another. The term originated from the Italian expression "portamento della voce" (carriage of the voice), denoting from the beginning of the 17th century its use in vocal performances and its emulation by members of the violin family and certain wind instruments, and is sometimes used interchangeably with anticipation. It is also applied to one type of glissando as well as to the "glide" function of synthesizers.
Portamento is the second studio album by American indie pop band The Drums. The album was released in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2011 through Moshi Moshi and Island Records and was preceded by the release of lead single "Money" on August 19.
Usage examples of "portamento".
A sedici anni il suo portamento era maestoso come quello di una matrona antica.
Neri gli occhi e la capigliatura il suo portamento era incantevole e maestoso.