What musical term denotes a note being played short and separated from others?

The term that describes a note being played short and separated from others is "staccato." In musical notation, a staccato note is typically marked with a dot above or below the note head, indicating that the performer should play the note in a detached manner. This technique gives the music a crisp and lively character, as each note is clearly articulated with a noticeable gap between them.

In contrast, other terms used in music have different meanings: tenuto suggests that a note should be held for its full value, legato implies that notes should be played smoothly and connected without breaks, and marcato indicates a note should be played with emphasis but does not carry the same level of separation as staccato. Understanding these distinctions helps performers interpret pieces accurately and convey the intended expression of the music.