The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ridotto \Ri*dot"to\, n. [It., fr. LL. reductus a retreat. See Redoubt.]
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A favorite Italian public entertainment, consisting of music and dancing, -- held generally on fast eves.
--Brande & C.There are to be ridottos at guinea tickets.
--Walpole. (Music) An arrangement or abridgment of a piece from the full score.
Ridotto \Ri*dot"to\, v. i.
To hold ridottos. [R.]
--J. G. Cooper.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (label en historical) A public ball, typically a masquerade, popular in the 18th century. 2 (cx music English) An arrangement or abridgment of a piece from the full score.
Wikipedia
'Il Ridotto' ( Italian : "The Private Room") is a wing of Venice's San Moisè Palace. In 1638 it was converted at the behest of Venice's city leaders into a government-owned gambling house. Importantly, Il Ridotto was the site of the West's first public, legal mercantile casino.
Usage examples of "ridotto".
Muzio che aveva imparato la sua storia e conosciuta la propria condizione da Siccio, ripensando alla trama scellerata con cui egli era stato ridotto alla presente poverissima condizione, sdegnava di posare davanti a persone che spesso non conosceva.
The ridotti were only open to noblemen who had to appear without masks, in their patrician robes, and wearing the immense wig which had become indispensable since the beginning of the century.
I could not hold the bank I would go and punt at the ridotto, where I lost my money morning and night.
They visited Ranelagh, the theatre only once with Peverel--boated on the Thames, went to the Opera, and all the balls, receptions, and ridottos that filled the lives of the cousinry who ruled Britain.
If they had ire back of eyeball they got danage on front tooth: theres were revelries at ridottos, here was rivalry in redoubt: I wegschicked Duke Wellinghof to reshockle Roy Shackleton: Walhalloo, Walhalloo, Walhalloo, mourn in plein!
Un momento dopo, il corpo ridotto al silenzio precipitò nel lago, mutilato di una gamba e un braccio.