dash

1. A mark that represents an articulation directive for musical notation. If there is a vertical dash above a note, it is an indication to the performer to play that note staccato; generally the dash implies a shorter, more accented staccato than the dot. 

 

2. A mark that represents an articulation directive for musical notation. If there is a horizontal dash above a note, it indicates that the performer should sustain the note for its full length (tenuto). 

 

3. If a horizontal dash appears in a figured bass part, it indicates that the preceding harmony is to be continued.