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semplicemente

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Etymology and origin of the Italian word semplicemente

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
before 1292, Bono Giamboni
Ultimate origin
Latin simplex
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin simplex
French simple
Italian semplice
Italian semplicemente
From the same root
Latin simplicitas ← simplex
Latin simpliciter ← simplex
French simplement ← simple

Pronunciation

  • /sem.pli.t͡ʃeˈmen.te/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Italian semplice (“simple”) + -mente.[2][3][1] The adjective is a learned word from Latin simplex (“single, simple”), formed with sem- (“one, once”) and the root of plicō (“to fold”), as duplice is from “duplex”.[2][4] Latin had the adverb simpliciter, which Tommaseo gives as the model.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record is in Bono Giamboni's Libro de' vizî e delle virtudi, before 1292, in the sense “in a simple way”.[2][3] Brunetto Latini's Rettorica uses it for considering a thing “simply in its own nature”.[6]

Semantic evolution

Old forms include sempicemente, simplicemente and Guittone's simpricimente.[6][5] In Dante's Convivio most people know things semplicemente di fuori, only from the outside, and in medieval moral and legal prose the adverb meant “absolutely, without qualification”.[6][5]

The restrictive sense “only, merely” is dated by DELI to 1673, in Paolo Segneri.[2] Today the word also strengthens a judgement, “really, truly” (semplicemente perfetto), and describes a sober, unaffected manner of speaking, dressing or living.[3][7][8]

Timeline

  • Before 1292 – Bono Giamboni uses semplicemente “in a simple way”.[2]
  • 1304–1307 – Dante's Convivio.[6]
  • 1673 – “Only, merely” in Paolo Segneri.[2]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. In a simple way, easily: L'esercizio si risolve semplicemente.[3][1]
  2. Naturally, plainly, without affectation; soberly: Si veste semplicemente ma con gusto.[3][7][8]
  3. Only, merely, just: Volevo semplicemente sapere come stai.[3][7][9][1]
  4. (intensifying) Really, truly: Il concerto è stato semplicemente straordinario.[3][7][8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Cortelazzo, Manlio; Zolli, Paolo (1999), Dizionario etimologico della lingua italiana, 2nd ed. by Manlio Cortelazzo and Michele A. Cortelazzo, Bologna: Zanichelli
  3. ^ a b c d e f g De Mauro, Tullio (ed.) (2003), Grande dizionario italiano dell'uso, CD-ROM version 2.0, Torino: UTET
  4. ^ Nocentini, Alberto; Parenti, Alessandro (2010), l'Etimologico: vocabolario della lingua italiana, Firenze: Le Monnier
  5. ^ a b c Tommaseo, Niccolò; Bellini, Bernardo (1861–1879), Dizionario della lingua italiana, 4 vols., Torino: UTET
  6. ^ a b c d Battaglia, Salvatore; Bàrberi Squarotti, Giorgio (1961–2002), Grande dizionario della lingua italiana, 21 vols., Torino: UTET; digital ed. Accademia della Crusca, p. 18, 608
  7. ^ a b c d Devoto, Giacomo; Oli, Gian Carlo; Serianni, Luca; Trifone, Maurizio (2026), Nuovo Devoto–Oli: il vocabolario dell'italiano contemporaneo, digital ed., Milano: Le Monnier
  8. ^ a b c Vocabolario della lingua italiana Treccani (2011), Roma: Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana
  9. ^ Gabrielli, Aldo (2020), Grande dizionario italiano, digital ed., Milano: Hoepli
Cite this entry

“Semplicemente.” Etymologically, 21 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/it/semplicemente. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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