spinetta

Italian

Etymology

From spina +‎ -etta, a diminutive of spina (“thorn”). Probably referring to the shape of string pluckers in original instruments. Sometimes explained as derived from the name of its inventor, Giovanni Spinetti.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /spiˈnet.ta/
• Rhymes: -etta
• Hyphenation: spi‧nét‧ta

Noun

spinetta f (plural spinette)

1. (music) spinet, a type of piano or similar instrument

   Coordinate term: spinettino

Descendants

• → Catalan: espineta
• → English: spinet
• → German: Spinett
• → Portuguese: espineta
• → Spanish: espineta

Further reading

• spinétta¹ in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana
• spinétta² in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana

Anagrams

• spettina, stipante