assolutamente

Etymology

It is formed from Italian assoluto (“absolute”) + -mente.^[2][3][4][1] The adjective is a learned word, Latin absolūtus (“free, complete”), the past participle of absolvō (“to release, set free”).^[2][5][6] Latin already had an adverb, absolūtē.^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

The TLIO's first record is Dante's Convivio (1304–1307), with the sense “universally, in absolute and abstract terms”.^[4][8] The GDLI quotes the early commentary on Dante known as the Ottimo: “Vedrai ch'io parlo respettivamente e non assolutamente” (you will see that I speak relatively and not absolutely).^[9]

Semantic evolution

Old Italian also used it for a peremptory statement, “completely, without doubt”, and for acting with total freedom, without constraints; spellings were absolutamente and asolutamente too.^[4] Other old adverbs from the same adjective were assolute (14th century) and per assoluto.^[8]

The LEI dates the sense “completely, entirely” from 1540 (Guicciardini), and its use to strengthen an order, an assertion or a denial, “certainly”, from 1642 (Galileo).^[8] Paolo Segneri wrote the superlative assolutissimamente in 1694.^[8] In grammar it describes a word used without the complement it usually takes, as Tommaseo's dictionary records.^[8][2] In everyday speech today it may stand alone as an answer, meaning “yes, certainly” or “not at all” according to the question.^[3][2]

Timeline

• 1304–1307 – Dante uses assolutamente in the Convivio.^[4]
• 14th century – The adverb assolute is used in the Ottimo commentary.^[8]
• 1540 – Guicciardini uses it for “completely”.^[8]
• 1642 – Galileo uses it to strengthen a statement.^[8]
• 1694 – Segneri writes assolutissimamente.^[8]
• 1865 – Tommaseo's dictionary records the grammatical sense.^[8]

Meanings

Adverb

1. In an absolute way, without limits or restrictions: un sovrano che decideva assolutamente su tutto.^[2][10][11]
2. completely, totally, utterly: Il film era assolutamente noioso.^{[2][3][10][1]}
3. By all means, at all costs: Devo assolutamente finire entro stasera.^[2][3][11]
4. (in answers) Absolutely (yes), or not at all, according to the question; also in assolutamente sì and assolutamente no.^[2][3]
5. (grammar) Used absolutely, without its usual complement: un verbo usato assolutamente.^[2][3][10]

Related words

• assoluto
• assolvere
• assolutezza
• assolutismo
• Latin absolutus

Usage notes

Used alone as a reply, assolutamente! can confirm or deny: only the question shows which.^[2][3]

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j De Mauro, Tullio (ed.) (2003), Grande dizionario italiano dell'uso, CD-ROM version 2.0, Torino: UTET
3. ^ a b c d e f g 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 c d Tesoro della Lingua Italiana delle Origini (1997–), Opera del Vocabolario Italiano, CNR, Firenze; tlio.ovi.cnr.it
5. ^ Nocentini, Alberto; Parenti, Alessandro (2010), l'Etimologico: vocabolario della lingua italiana, Firenze: Le Monnier
6. ^ Cortelazzo, Manlio; Zolli, Paolo (1999), Dizionario etimologico della lingua italiana, 2nd ed. by Manlio Cortelazzo and Michele A. Cortelazzo, Bologna: Zanichelli
7. ^ Tommaseo, Niccolò; Bellini, Bernardo (1861–1879), Dizionario della lingua italiana, 4 vols., Torino: UTET, p. 1, 694
8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Pfister, Max; Schweickard, Wolfgang; Prifti, Elton (eds.) (1979–), Lessico Etimologico Italiano, Wiesbaden: Reichert; online at lei-digitale.it, p. 1, 179
9. ^ Battaglia, Salvatore; Bàrberi Squarotti, Giorgio (1961–2002), Grande dizionario della lingua italiana, 21 vols., Torino: UTET; digital ed. Accademia della Crusca, p. 1, 774
10. ^ a b c Vocabolario della lingua italiana Treccani (2011), Roma: Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana
11. ^ a b Gabrielli, Aldo (2020), Grande dizionario italiano, digital ed., Milano: Hoepli