Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Staccato \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.

Source : WordNet®

staccato
     adj : marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut
           short crisply; "staccato applause"; "a staccato
           command"; "staccato notes" [syn: {disconnected}] [ant:
           {legato}]
     adv : separating the notes; in music; "play this staccato, please"
           [ant: {legato}]