graffito
English edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from Italian graffito.
Pronunciation edit
- (General American) IPA(key): /ɡɹəˈfitoʊ/, [ɡɹəˈfiɾoʊ̯]
Noun edit
graffito (plural graffiti)
- (archaeology and related fields) An informal inscription, as by a worker or vandal.
- (rare) A single instance of graffiti in the art/vandalism sense.
- 1982 April 24, Bob Nelson, “NY Cops Harass Activist Writing Graffiti”, in Gay Community News, page 3:
- One officer got out to inspect the graffito.
Usage notes edit
Outside of archaeology, graffiti or “a piece of graffiti” is used for the singular. As graffiti is borrowed from a plural form, prescriptivists consider singular use of graffiti incorrect: compare data/datum. The use of "graffiti" in contemporary art is a synonym to "Tags-Throw-ups-Pieces", TTP in short.[1]
Synonyms edit
References edit
Italian edit
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
graffito m (plural graffiti)
Participle edit
graffito (feminine graffita, masculine plural graffiti, feminine plural graffite)