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(Eng., Ger.; Fr. ut; It. do). 1. The first tone and degree of the C-major or C-minor scale. The TONIC of the first scale in the cycle of scales, with neither sharps nor flats in the key signature. 2. In music theory, uppercase C designates the C-major triad, lowercase c represents the c-minor triad. 3. Middle C is the note c1 on the piano keyboard.