What does the "+" symbol indicate in musical notation?

The "+" symbol in musical notation is used to indicate that the note should be stopped or is a tie, which may reflect a desired articulation or direction in the music. This symbol often suggests the abrupt end of a note and can signal to the performer to lift their fingers or cease sound production without the note being sustained into its full duration. This differs from various dynamic markings, such as "p" for piano (soft) or "f" for forte (loud), which pertain to playing volume rather than articulation. Similarly, it is distinct from tempo indications, which involve the speed of the music, emphasizing that the "+" symbol specifically relates to how a note is articulated or terminated.