Which musical term represents "less"?

The term that represents "less" in music is "meno." This Italian word is often used in musical directions to indicate a decrease in the intensity or amount of a particular dynamic or expression. For example, "meno forte" means "less loud," and "meno mosso" means "less motion." This term is commonly found in scores to guide performers on how to adjust their performance.

In contrast, "mezzo forte" denotes a moderate loudness, which does not convey the concept of diminishing intensity. "Mesto" is associated with a mournful or sad expression, while "marcato" indicates a marked or emphasized style of playing, which would suggest more rather than less. Therefore, "meno" is unequivocally the term that signifies a reduction in intensity or expression in music.