assai

¹ American  

[uh-sahy, ahs-sah-ee] / əˈsaɪ, ɑsˈsɑ i /

adverb

Music.

1. very.

   allegro assai (very quick).

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assai ² American  

[uh-sah-ee] / əˈsɑ i /

noun

1. any of several slender Brazilian palms of the genus Euterpe, especially E. edulis, a species bearing a purple fruit from which a beverage is made by infusion.

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assai ¹ British  

/ æˈsaɪ /

noun

1. any of several Brazilian palm trees of the genus Euterpe, esp E. edulis, that have small dark purple fleshy edible fruit

2. a beverage made from the fruit of this tree

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assai ² British  

/ æˈsaɪ /

adverb

1. music (usually preceded by a musical direction) very

   allegro assai

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Etymology

Origin of assai¹

First recorded in 1715–25; from Italian: literally, “enough,”ultimately from Latin ad “(up) to” + satis “enough.” See asset

Origin of assai²

1895–1900; < Portuguese < Tupi assaí

Example Sentences

Finally, the chorus ended the piece pomposo assai: "After hearing these instructions, you should be able to prepare your own return�unless you have complicated problems."

From Time Magazine Archive

A roar of a thousand voices was heard singing the national hymn: "Chi per la patria muore Vessuto ha assai!"

From The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume I by Lermina, Jules

Quanta pena or mi da, gioja mi dava; E in questo, e in quel pensier, piangendo gode Tra poche dolci, e assai lagrime amare.

From The Romance of Biography (Vol 2 of 2) or Memoirs of Women Loved and Celebrated by Poets, from the Days of the Troubadours to the Present Age. 3rd ed. 2 Vols. by Jameson, Mrs. (Anna)

Voi siete bella assai; ma pi� bella sareste, S'un de'pomi, che cantano, in una mano areste.

From The Memoirs of Count Carlo Gozzi; Volume the First by Gozzi, Carlo

Ora conosce assai di quel, che 'l mondo Veder non pu� della divina grazia; Bench� sua vista non discerna il fondo.—Parad. c.

From Dante. An essay. To which is added a translation of De Monarchia. by Church, R. W. (Richard William)