Italianism

[ih-tal-yuh-niz-uhm]

noun

1. an Italian practice, trait, or idiom.

2. Italian quality or spirit.

Italianism

/ ɪˈtæljəˌnɪzəm, ɪˈtælɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. an Italian custom or style

2. Italian quality or life, or the cult of either

Other Word Forms

• anti-Italianism noun
• pro-Italianism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Italianism¹

First recorded in 1585–95; Italian + -ism

Example Sentences

All that was essentially Spanish was for the time forgotten, submerged in an imported Italianism.

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And again the latter wrote: “You have two excellent points in that poem—originality and Italianism.”

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Castel-Forte, a most honourable and excellent gentleman, has so little of typical Italianism in him that, finding Corinne will not have him, he actually serves as common friend, confidant, and almost as honourable go-between, to her and Nelvil.

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Moreover, these concessions, even in their last and belated edition, in no way responded to the objectives of Italian policy, which are, first, the defense of Italianism, the greatest of our duties; secondly, a secure military frontier, replacing that which was imposed upon us in 1866, by which all the gates of Italy are open to our adversaries; thirdly, a strategical situation in the Adriatic less dangerous and unfortunate than that which we have, and of which you have seen the effects in the last few days.

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Tonelli's stipend was to pay the housekeeping, as well as the minute wage of a servant-girl from the country; and it was believed that they could save enough from that, and a little of Carlotta's money at interest, to go sometimes to the Malibran theatre or the Marionette, or even make an excursion to the mainland upon a holiday; but if they could not, it was certainly better Italianism to stay at home; and at least they could always walk to the Public Gardens.

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