grinta

Italian

Etymology

Borrowed from a Germanic language, presumably Gothic, representing Proto-Germanic *grimmiþō.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡrin.ta/
• Rhymes: -inta
• Hyphenation: grìn‧ta

Noun

grinta f (plural grinte)

1. (literary or rare) frowning facial expression

   Synonym: grugno

2. determination, grit

   Synonyms: aggressività, decisione, determinazione, risolutezza, vigore, carattere

   • 1893, Emma Perodi, “Lo stemma sanguinoso”, in Le novelle della nonna:

     Anche se non portasse il suo misfatto scritto in petto, la grinta lo denunzierebbe per traditore.

     Even if he did not have his misdeed written on his chest, his determination would denounce him as a traitor.

Derived terms

• grintoso

Descendants

• →? Albanian: grindë (“quarrel”)