scarafaggio

Italian

Etymology

For Vulgar Latin *scarafaius (cf. 10th c. glosses scarafagius), a local, perhaps Oscanized variant of Latin scarabaeus (“scarab, dung beetle”), of uncertain origin. This variant is also reflected by several Provencal forms.[1] Compare Sicilian scravagghiu and Venetan scarafajo.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ska.raˈfad.d͡ʒo/
  • Rhymes: -addʒo
  • Hyphenation: sca‧ra‧fàg‧gio

Noun

scarafaggio m (plural scarafaggi)

  1. (entomology) cockroach
    Synonym: blatta f
  2. (figurative) a short person that has black hair or usually wears black clothes

References

  1. ^ Walther von Wartburg (1928–2002) “scarabaeus”, in Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, volume 11: S–Si, page 290
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