Etymologically
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semplicemente

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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