prego Italian · revision 37594

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1173|origins=la prex}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈprɛ.ɡo/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''prego''' ''m'' (plural preghi)^(Wiktionary)

+ The noun also had the forms ''priego'', with the Tuscan diphthong, and ''preco''.^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Both uses come from [[pregare|t=to pray; to ask]]: the noun “prayer” is formed from the verb with no suffix, and the interjection is its first person singular present, “I pray (you)”.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)^(GRADIT 2003) The verb, earlier [[precare]], is [[inh|la|precor|t=to pray, entreat]], from [[m|la|prex|t=prayer]].^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)^(Wiktionary) Nocentini traces the Latin noun to [[ine-pro|*prek-|t=to ask]], the root also of [[m|la|poscō|t=to demand]] and of [[de|Frage|t=question]].^(Nocentini 2010)

+

+ According to Panzini's dictionary, the polite formula was modelled on German [[m|de|bitte]] and was much used in the lands that had been under Austria.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The noun ''prego'' “prayer” is dated 1173,^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010) and DELI cites it in the letters of Guido Faba before 1243.^(DELI 1999) Dante writes ''Donna scese del ciel, per li cui prieghi'' “A lady came down from heaven, at whose prayers”.^(Treccani 2011)^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The noun is now only literary.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026) The interjection is a modern formula of politeness: Nocentini dates it to 1737, and DELI's first record is a conversation guide of 1868 that pairs German ''Bitte! bitte!'' with ''Prego!''.^(Nocentini 2010)^(DELI 1999) Tommaseo in 1871 describes it as an elliptical courtesy used to invite someone to sit or to take what is offered, and Panzini in 1918 as the standard reply to ''grazie''.^(DELI 1999) With a questioning tone it also asks someone to repeat what they said.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1173 – The noun ''prego'' “prayer” is first recorded.^(GRADIT 2003)

+ * Before 1243 – Guido Faba uses the noun.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1737 – Nocentini's date for the interjection.^(Nocentini 2010)

+ * 1868 – ''Prego!'' appears as the equivalent of German ''Bitte!'' in a phrase book.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1918 – Panzini calls it the usual reply to ''grazie''.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Interjection===

+ # [[m|en|you're welcome]], don't mention it: the reply to thanks or to an apology: ''«Grazie mille!» «Prego!»''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|please]], after you: inviting someone to come in, sit down, help themselves or go first: ''Prego, si sieda.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(interrogative)'' Pardon?, asking someone to repeat something.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(literary)'' A [[m|en|prayer]], an entreaty.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pregare]]

+ * [[preghiera]]

+ * [[prece]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}