Definition of staccato:
(n) :
an
articulation marking directing that a note or passage of notes are to be played in an abruptly disconnected manner, with each note sounding for a very short duration, and a short break lasting until the sounding of the next note; as opposed to
legato. Staccato is indicated by a dot directly above or below the notehead; a passage having this mark
(v) :
played in this style
"now, play the same passage very staccato."
(adj) :
describing a passage having this mark