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-anza

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Etymology and origin of the Italian word -anza

Confidence
Established
Formation
Inherited
Inherited from
Latin -antia
Ultimate origin
Latin -antia

Pronunciation

  • /ˈan.t͡sa/[1]

Forms

-anza f (noun-forming suffix, plural -anze)[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Latin -antia.[2][3][1] The Latin suffix was built on the present participle in -ans, -antis of the first conjugation, as in abundantia beside abundāns.[4] Sabatini–Coletti takes it from a neuter plural of the participle, first with a collective meaning.[5] The same suffix is Spanish -anza, Portuguese -ança, Catalan -ança and French -ance.[1]

The suffix was much used in the lyric poetry of the 13th century, because it was common in the Provençal poetry that served as its model.[5]

Meanings

Suffix

  1. Forms feminine abstract nouns of state, condition or manner from adjectives and nouns in -ante: abbondanza, ignoranza, vacanza.[3][2][4]
  2. Forms such nouns from other nouns and adjectives: cittadinanza, lontananza, maggioranza.[3][2][6]
  3. Forms nouns from some verbs: usanza, somiglianza.[6][7]

Word family

  • abbondanza
  • ignoranza
  • importanza
  • mancanza
  • vacanza
  • cittadinanza
  • fratellanza
  • lontananza
  • maggioranza
  • costanza
  • usanza
  • somiglianza
  • arroganza
  • eleganza
  • temperanza
  • -ante
  • Latin -antia
  • French -ance

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Nocentini, Alberto; Parenti, Alessandro (2010), l'Etimologico: vocabolario della lingua italiana, Firenze: Le Monnier
  3. ^ a b c Devoto, Giacomo; Oli, Gian Carlo; Serianni, Luca; Trifone, Maurizio (2026), Nuovo Devoto–Oli: il vocabolario dell'italiano contemporaneo, digital ed., Milano: Le Monnier
  4. ^ a b Zingarelli, Nicola (2009), Lo Zingarelli 2010: vocabolario della lingua italiana, Bologna: Zanichelli
  5. ^ a b Sabatini, Francesco; Coletti, Vittorio; Manfredini, Manuela (2026), Dizionario italiano Sabatini Coletti, digital ed., Milano: Sansoni / Rizzoli Larousse
  6. ^ a b Duro, Aldo (ed.) (1986–1994), Vocabolario della lingua italiana, Roma: Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana; online ed. treccani.it/vocabolario (2008 copy)
  7. ^ Vocabolario della lingua italiana Treccani (2011), Roma: Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana

Related etymologies

  • no · also from Latin
  • cosa · also from Latin
  • a · also from Latin
  • mio · also from Latin
  • uno · also from Latin
  • si · also from Latin
  • sapere · also from Latin
  • fare · also from Latin
Cite this entry

“-anza.” Etymologically, 10 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/it/-anza. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·