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Italianism

American  
[ih-tal-yuh-niz-uhm] / ɪˈtæl yəˌnɪz əm /

noun

  1. an Italian practice, trait, or idiom.

  2. Italian quality or spirit.


Italianism British  
/ ɪˈtæljəˌnɪzəm, ɪˈtælɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

  1. an Italian custom or style

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of Italianism

First recorded in 1585–95; Italian + -ism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ah! the musty base Italianism and neo-Meyerbeerism, the filthy masses of sentiment which are borne on by the torrent!…

From Jean Christophe: in Paris The Market-Place, Antoinette, the House by Cannan, Gilbert

Lord O'Toole would by no means admit of this Italianism: he would make no distinctions: he deemed philosophers altogether a race of beings dangerous and inimical to states.

From Tales and Novels — Volume 04 by Edgeworth, Maria

I have no doubt that sçue is correct, and is an Italianism, saputo having sometimes the sense of prudent or judicious.

From The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1 by Yule, Henry

In recent years the Italian poet has abandoned his native land, living in Paris, writing his last work in French, having apparently exiled himself for the rest of his life and renounced his former Italianism.

From The World Decision by Herrick, Robert

The overture, with its hollow ring of gaiety, strikes the note of Italianism which echoes throughout the opera.

From The Opera A Sketch of the Development of Opera. With full Descriptions of all Works in the Modern Repertory. by Fuller-Maitland, J. A.

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