The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Staccato \Stac*ca"to\ (st[.a]k*k[aum]"t[-o]), a. [It., p. p. of
   staccare, 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.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Expressed in a brief, pointed manner.
      [1913 Webster]

            Staccato and peremptory [literary criticism]. --G.
                                                  Eliot.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

staccato
    adv 1: separating the notes; in music; "play this staccato,
           please" [ant: legato]
    adj 1: (music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or
           sounds; cut short crisply; "staccato applause"; "a
           staccato command"; "staccato notes" [syn: staccato,
           disconnected] [ant: legato, smooth]