befana

See also: Befana

Italian

Etymology

From Befana, a folkloric figure.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /beˈfa.na/
• Rhymes: -ana
• Hyphenation: be‧fà‧na

Noun

befana f (plural befane)

1. the presents or treats received by children from Befana on the night before Epiphany

   ricevere la befana ― to receive the befana

   La mia befana quest'anno è stata misera.

   My befana was miserable this year.

2. (humorous or offensive) a crone or old hag

   Synonyms: racchia, strega

3. Alternative letter-case form of Befana

Derived terms

• befano

Further reading

• befana in Dizionario Italiano Olivetti, Olivetti Media Communication
• befana in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana