versipelle

Italian

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Classical Latin versipellis (“shape-shifting; sly, cunning”, adjective, literally “skin-turning”; “werewolf”, noun)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ver.siˈpɛl.le/
• Rhymes: -ɛlle
• Hyphenation: ver‧si‧pèl‧le

Adjective

versipelle (invariable) (obsolete, literary)

1. shape-shifting
2. (figurative) cunningly or slyly deceiving
3. (of a statement) false, deceiving
4. turncoating

Noun

versipelle m (invariable) (obsolete, literary)

1. a sly dissembler or pretender; a cunning, immoral man
2. one who turns his coat
3. werewolf, lycanthrope

References

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

Latin

Adjective

versipelle

1. nominative/accusative/vocative neuter singular of versipellis