architetto

See also: architettò

Italian

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin architectus. Non-etymological /e/ perhaps by analogy with tetto (“roof”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ar.kiˈtet.to/

• Audio

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• Rhymes: -etto
• Hyphenation: ar‧chi‧tét‧to

Noun

architetto m (plural architetti, feminine architetta)

1. architect

Usage notes

• The feminine form architetta is sometimes considered jocular or offensive as it rhymes with tetta (boob). This led to the rise of other female alternatives, such as architetto (reusing the male form), architettrice (improperly applying the suffix -trice) and architettessa (using the suffix -essa), which are however marginally used. The Hellenizing form architettena (based on τέκταινα being the female form of τέκτων) is not used.

Related terms

• architettare
• architettonico
• architettura

Descendants

• → Neapolitan: archetetto

References

• architetto in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana