scarafaggio

Italian

Etymology

For Vulgar Latin *scarafaius (cf. 10th c. glosses scarafagius), a local, perhaps Oscanized variant of Latin scarabaeus (“scarab, dung beetle”), of uncertain origin. This variant is also reflected by several Provencal forms. Compare Sicilian scravagghiu.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ska.raˈfad.d͡ʒo/
• Rhymes: -addʒo
• Hyphenation: sca‧ra‧fàg‧gio

Noun

scarafaggio m (plural scarafaggi)

1. (entomology) cockroach

   Synonym: blatta f

2. (figurative) a short person that has black hair or usually wears black clothes

Related terms

• scarabeo