braccio

American  

[brah-choh, -chee-oh] / ˈbrɑ tʃoʊ, -tʃiˌoʊ /

noun

braccia plural

1. an old Italian unit of length, usually about 26 or 27 inches (66 or 68 centimeters), but varying between 18 and 28 inches (46 and 71 centimeters).

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• braccia
  plural

Etymology

Origin of braccio

First recorded in 1750–60; from Italian: literally, “an arm,” from Latin bracchium; see brace

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

braccio braccia

A few years later when he was in Rome, he sought out a shop which sold measuring sticks and acquired a Florentine braccio.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

The Venetian braccio was longer than the Florentine, which would have made Galileo’s measurements much more nearly accurate.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Cloux April 14, ’18 Tomorrow evening, Pietro Papini will play his lira da braccio for us, music I composed in Milan, when friend Atalante and I played and sang.

From Voices from the Past by Bartlett, Paul Alexander

For similar reasons, the Venetian chains cost per braccio, No. 0, the finest, 60 francs; No. 1, 40 francs; Nos.

From Principles Of Political Economy by Lalor, John J. (John Joseph)

In Siena, the braccio for cloth is 14 inches, while in Florence it is 23, and in Milan it is 39 inches, English measure.

From Anecdotes of Painters, Engravers, Sculptors and Architects, and Curiosities of Art, (Vol. 2 of 3) by Spooner, Shearjashub

Indeed, in Florence and Venice two different braccia were used for different purposes.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Now the masons engaged on the work were at a standstill, waiting to be told to begin the part above the twelve braccia, and to make the vaults and bind them with ties.

From Lives of the Most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects Vol. 02 (of 10), Berna to Michelozzo Michelozzi by De Vere, Gaston du C.

This church, then, the architect of which was Antonio di Giorgio of Settignano, was forty braccia long and twenty wide.

From Lives of the Most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects Vol. 04 (of 10), Filippino Lippi to Domenico Puligo by De Vere, Gaston du C.

And on the summit is a Neptune of five braccia, who holds the trident in his hand, and has the right leg planted beside a Dolphin.

From Lives of the most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects Vol 08 (of 10) Bastiano to Taddeo Zucchero by Vasari, Giorgio

He left the model for the presbytery of the priests of S. Lorenzo, and part of the building finished, wherein he made the cloister one hundred and forty-four braccia in length.

From Lives of the Most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects Vol. 02 (of 10), Berna to Michelozzo Michelozzi by De Vere, Gaston du C.