granchio

See also: Granchio

Italian

Etymology

From *cranclu(m), accusative singular of Vulgar Latin *cranclus, by metathesis and syncope from a Late Latin *cancrulus (compare attested Medieval Latin cancrulus), a diminutive of Latin cancer (“crab”). The Latin derives from Proto-Italic *kankros, dissimilation of *karkros (“enclosure”) (because the pincers of a crab form a circle), from Proto-Indo-European *kr-kr- (“circular”), reduplication of *(s)ker- (“to turn, bend”). See also the doublet cancro (“cancer”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡran.kjo/
• Rhymes: -ankjo
• Hyphenation: gràn‧chio

Noun

granchio m (plural granchi)

1. crab (animal)
2. (figurative) mistake

   Synonym: errore

Derived terms

• aggranchiare
• prendere un granchio (“to misunderstand”)
• sgranchire

Related terms

• cancro
• Cancro

Further reading

• granchio in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana
• granchio in garzantilinguistica.it – Garzanti Linguistica, De Agostini Scuola Spa