scusa Italian · revision 37703

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1260–1261, Brunetto Latini|origins=la causa}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈsku.za/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''scusa''' ''f'' (plural scuse)^(Wiktionary)

+ Old forms include [[roa-oit|iscusa]], [[roa-oit|scusia]] and [[roa-oit|scuxa]].^(TLIO) Zingarelli also records an obsolete ''escusa''.^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a noun formed [[af|it|scusare|-a]], from the verb meaning “to excuse”.^(DELI 1999)^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(TLIO)

+

+ The verb comes from [[la|excūsō|t=to excuse, plead in excuse]], formed from [[m|la|causa|t=cause; lawsuit]] with the prefix [[m|la|ex-]], so properly “to put out of the case”.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)^(GRADIT 2003) Nocentini treats it as a borrowing from Latin, while the LEI counts it among the forms that continue the Latin verb, with the loss of the first syllable, like [[fur|scusâ]].^(Nocentini 2010)^(LEI|22, 85) The Latin verb is also [[fr|excuser]] (Old French ⟨escuser⟩, middle of the 12th century), [[ca|excusar]], [[es|excusar]] and [[pt|escusar]].^(LEI|22, 85)^(Nocentini 2010)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLIO's first record is in Brunetto Latini's ''Rettorica'' (about 1260–1261, Florentine), for a justification someone offers for a fault.^(TLIO) DELI's first record is in the 13th-century poet Chiaro Davanzati, in the sense “the act of excusing someone or oneself”;^(DELI 1999)^(GDLI|18) GDLI quotes him: “Avegna se la scusa m'ascoltate / e volete la scusa ricepere, / io la vi fo” (if you will hear my excuse and are willing to receive it, I make it to you).^(DELI 1999)^(GDLI|18)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense “pretext” is as old as the word: Guittone d'Arezzo, who died in 1294, already uses it.^(DELI 1999) In Old Italian law the word meant a plea of innocence against a charge, and an exemption from a statute or from an office.^(TLIO) Boccaccio has ''scuse'' in the plural for words of apology, as in the modern ''fare le proprie scuse''.^(GDLI|18)^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861)

+

+ In the modern language ''chiedere scusa'' means “to apologize”, and ''chiedo scusa'' is a polite formula for interrupting or disturbing someone.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010) German ''Skus'', the winning card in tarot, was taken from the Italian word and, from French ''excuse''.^(DIFIT)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 13th century – Chiaro Davanzati uses ''scusa'' for an apology.^(DELI 1999)

+ * About 1260–1261 – Brunetto Latini uses it for a justification.^(TLIO)

+ * Before 1294 – Guittone d'Arezzo uses it for a pretext.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 14th century – Boccaccio uses the plural for words of apology.^(GDLI|18)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An [[m|en|apology]], often in the plural: a request for forgiveness for a fault or a mistake, and the words or acts that express it: ''Ti devo delle scuse per ieri sera.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # Forgiveness, indulgence asked for a fault, in ''chiedere scusa'' “to apologize”, ''chiedo scusa'' is a polite formula used when interrupting or disturbing someone.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # A [[m|en|justification]], a reason that excuses or lessens a fault: ''Per un errore così non c'è scusa.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # A [[m|en|pretext]], a false or convenient reason: ''Con la scusa del mal di testa è rimasto a casa.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+

+ ===Interjection===

+ # ''(informal)'' Sorry!, excuse me!, said to one person.^(Wiktionary)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[scuserella]]

+ * [[scusetta]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[scusare]]

+ * [[scusabile]]

+ * [[scusante]]

+ * [[causa]]

+ * [[la|excuso]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ As an interjection, ''scusa'' is the imperative of [[scusare]] addressed to someone one calls ''tu''.^(Wiktionary)^(Wikizionario) The verb's polite and plural forms ''scusi'' and ''scusate'' serve the same purpose.^(GRADIT 2003) The phrase ''è una scusa bell'e buona'' means “it is a mere pretext”.^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Treccani 2011)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}