assolutamente Italian · revision 37872

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1304–1307, Dante, Convivio|origins=la absolvō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /as.so.lu.taˈmen.te/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|it|assoluto|-mente|t1=absolute]].^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(TLIO)^(Wiktionary) The adjective is a learned word, [[la|absolūtus|t=free, complete]], the past participle of [[m|la|absolvō|t=to release, set free]].^(GRADIT 2003)^(Nocentini 2010)^(DELI 1999) Latin already had an adverb, [[m|la|absolūtē]].^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861|1, 694)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLIO's first record is Dante's ''Convivio'' (1304–1307), with the sense “universally, in absolute and abstract terms”.^(TLIO)^(LEI|1, 179) 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).^(GDLI|1, 774)

+

+ ==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.^(TLIO) Other old adverbs from the same adjective were ''assolute'' (14th century) and ''per assoluto''.^(LEI|1, 179)

+

+ 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).^(LEI|1, 179) Paolo Segneri wrote the superlative ''assolutissimamente'' in 1694.^(LEI|1, 179) In grammar it describes a word used without the complement it usually takes, as Tommaseo's dictionary records.^(LEI|1, 179)^(GRADIT 2003) In everyday speech today it may stand alone as an answer, meaning “yes, certainly” or “not at all” according to the question.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(GRADIT 2003)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1304–1307 – Dante uses ''assolutamente'' in the ''Convivio''.^(TLIO)

+ * 14th century – The adverb ''assolute'' is used in the ''Ottimo'' commentary.^(LEI|1, 179)

+ * 1540 – Guicciardini uses it for “completely”.^(LEI|1, 179)

+ * 1642 – Galileo uses it to strengthen a statement.^(LEI|1, 179)

+ * 1694 – Segneri writes ''assolutissimamente''.^(LEI|1, 179)

+ * 1865 – Tommaseo's dictionary records the grammatical sense.^(LEI|1, 179)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # In an absolute way, without limits or restrictions: ''un sovrano che decideva assolutamente su tutto''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Treccani 2011)^(Gabrielli 2020)

+ # [[m|en|completely]], totally, utterly: ''Il film era assolutamente noioso.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)^(Wiktionary)

+ # By all means, at all costs: ''Devo assolutamente finire entro stasera.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Gabrielli 2020)

+ # ''(in answers)'' Absolutely (yes), or not at all, according to the question; also in ''assolutamente sì'' and ''assolutamente no''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+ # ''(grammar)'' Used [[m|en|absolutely]], without its usual complement: ''un verbo usato assolutamente''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[assoluto]]

+ * [[assolvere]]

+ * [[assolutezza]]

+ * [[assolutismo]]

+ * [[la|absolutus]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Used alone as a reply, ''assolutamente!'' can confirm or deny: only the question shows which.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}