scurzària

Sicilian

Alternative forms

  • scurzaria (syneretic spelling)
  • scuzzaria (regressive assimilated)

Etymology

From an unattested Vulgar Latin *scortearia, from the compound of scortea (shell) +‎ -āria (appurtenance suffix). Cfr. Sicilian scorcia. Compare semantically German Schildkröte.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /skuɾˈt͡sa.ɾi.a/, [skʊɾˈt͡sa.ɾɪ.a], [ʃkʊ-], [-tˈt͡sa-], [-ɾja]
  • Rhymes: -aria
  • Hyphenation: scur‧zà‧ri‧a

Noun

scurzària f (plural scurzari)

  1. Any of various land-dwelling reptiles, of the family Testudinidae, whose body is enclosed in a shell (carapace plus plastron). The animal can withdraw its head and four legs partially into the shell, providing some protection from predators.
    Synonym: (italianism) tartaruca
  2. (by extension, nickname) Any person who resembles it for body constitution
    Synonym: scurzarieḍḍu
    U scurzarieḍḍu.
    He, the tortoise-like.

Derived terms

  • scurzarieḍḍu