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

Oh argomenti vani di molti mortali, quante sono le ruiscite in assai cose contrarie a’ nostri avvisi! &c.

From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 3 by Disraeli, Isaac

E incominciando dalla terza risoluzione emanata dai Vescovi sudetti questa è sembrata assai ambigua, ed oscura.

From Irish Ecclesiastical Record, Volume 1, May 1865 by

Bel paese è Lombardia Degno assai, ricca e galante.

From Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan, 1475-1497 by Ady, Julia Mary Cartwright

Il men di che può Donna esser cortese Ver chi l'ha di sè stesso assai più cara, Da te, vergine pura, io non vorrei.

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)