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

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

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

In the commedia a braccio, before mentioned as the inheritance of the Marionette, the dramatist furnished merely the plot, and the outline of the action; the players filled in the character and dialogue.

From Venetian Life by Howells, William Dean

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

Giuliano also made the model of the whole altar, which stood at a distance of one braccio and a half from the ornament of the choir.

From Lives of the most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects Vol 07 (of 10) Tribolo to Il Sodoma by Vasari, Giorgio