assai

¹ American  

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

adverb

Music.

1. very.

   allegro assai (very quick).

---

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.

---

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

---

assai ² British  

/ æˈsaɪ /

adverb

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

   allegro assai

---

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

By G. M. Bramo assai, poco, spero nulla chieggio.

From The English Husbandman The First Part: Contayning the Knowledge of the true Nature of euery Soyle within this Kingdome: how to Plow it; and the manner of the Plough, and other Instruments by Markham, Gervase

"Certainly, it was painted by my own father, six months after their marriage; she was then as you see, una bella giovanne assai."

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 383, September 1847 by Various

He prefers her to Artemisia, for a reason rather quaintly expressed,— ——Anzi Tanto maggior, quanto è più assai beli' opra, Che por sotterra un uom, trarlo di sopra.

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)

This introductory passage is marked, "Sostenuto assai," followed by the main movement marked, "Allegro ma non troppo."

From Memories of a Musical Life by Mason, William