steddu

Perhaps related to stella (“star”); compare Italian stella (“star”), also used as an endearing term of address for children.

• IPA^(key): /ˈsteɖɖu/

steddu m (plural steddi)

1. (small) child

   Synonyms: criatura, ninnu, piccinneddu

   • 1978 May 2, Fabrizio De André, Massimo Bubola, “Zirichiltaggia (Baddu tundu) [Lizard lair (Round dance)]”, in Rimini, performed by Fabrizio De André:

     Candu tu sei paltutu suldatu, piagnì come unu steddu;
     e da li babbi di li toi amanti t'ha salvatu to' frateddu

     When you were drafted, you were crying like a child;
     and your brother was the one who saved you from the fathers of your lovers

• steddùcciu

• Rubattu, Antoninu (2006) Dizionario universale della lingua di Sardegna, 2nd edition, Sassari: Edes

With a shift in gender, from Latin stēlla, from Proto-Italic *stērolā, a derivation from Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr, derived from the root *h₂eh₁s- (“to burn”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈstɛɖɖu/

steddu m (plural steddus)

1. (Campidanese) star

   Synonyms: stella, streglia