sbirro

English

Etymology

From Italian sbirro; compare French sbire.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /spiɹoʊ/

Noun

sbirro (plural sbirros or sbirri)

1. A policeman in Italy, Corsica, etc.
2. A ruffian or henchman.

---

Italian

Etymology

From s- +‎ birro, the latter from Latin birrus (“hooded coat”), related to burrus (“reddish; red-headed”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈzbir.ro/

Noun

sbirro m (plural sbirri)

1. cop (policeman)

Derived terms

• sbirresco

Anagrams

• sborri

Further reading

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