stambecco

Italian

FWOTD – 14 January 2013

Etymology

From Middle High German steinboc. The Italian -a- may be a reduction of the [aɪ̯] in Standard German Steinbock or it could go back to a Bavarian dialect where Middle High German -ei- becomes [aː]; compare contemporary Bavarian Staabock (alongside Stoabock). The Italian -e- after becco, itself perhaps of Germanic origin.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /stamˈbek.ko/
• Rhymes: -ekko
• Hyphenation: stam‧béc‧co

Noun

stambecco m (plural stambecchi, feminine stambecca)

1. ibex (mammal)
   • 2007, Guido Piovene, Viaggio in Italia, Baldini Castoldi Dalai Edito, page 203:

     Mi dicono le guardie che ogni stambecco ha il suo pascolo riservato, […]

     The guards tell me that every ibex has his reserved pasture, […]