sicurezza Italian · revision 37898

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=second half of the 13th century (as segureza)|origins=la sēcūrus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /si.kuˈret.t͡sa/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''sicurezza''' ''f'' (plural sicurezze)^(Wiktionary)

+ Old forms include [[roa-oit|segureza]], [[roa-oit|securezza]] and [[roa-oit|sicureza]].^(GDLI|18, 1060)^(Nocentini 2010)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a derivative [[af|it|sicuro|-ezza]], formed in Italian.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary) The adjective continues [[la|sēcūrus|t=free from care, safe]], a compound of [[m|la|sē-|alt=sē(d)|t=without]] and [[m|la|cūra|t=care, anxiety]], so properly “without worry”.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010) Latin had its own noun for the quality, [[m|la|sēcūritās]], which gave the older Italian [[sicurtà]], recorded from 1253.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Nocentini dates the word to the second half of the 13th century in the form ''segureza'', and GRADIT to before 1315.^(Nocentini 2010)^(GRADIT 2003) Devoto–Oli gives the 14th century for the same old variant.^(Devoto–Oli 2026) DELI's first dated sense, “the condition of being safe”, is from Pietro Bembo, before 1547, and Sabatini–Coletti dates the word to the 16th century.^(DELI 1999)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense “self-assurance, the quality of one who is sure of himself” is recorded before 1565, in Benedetto Varchi, and “certainty” in 1715, in Anton Maria Salvini.^(DELI 1999) Tommaseo still treated ''sicurezza'' as a near synonym of ''sicurtà'' in the sense of freedom from danger, and noted its use for a gun barrel thick enough to keep its user safe.^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861|4, 894)

+

+ From the 19th century the word entered many technical phrases: ''per maggior sicurezza'' “to be on the safe side” is recorded in 1826, ''valvola di sicurezza'' “safety valve” in 1830 (figuratively, an outlet for tension, in 1905), ''cassette di sicurezza'' “safe-deposit boxes” in 1912, ''uscita di sicurezza'' “emergency exit” in 1940 and ''vetro di sicurezza'' “safety glass” in 1949.^(DELI 1999) ''Pubblica Sicurezza'' was the old name of the Italian state police, and ''sicurezza sociale'' is a calque of English ''social security''.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1253 – The older noun ''sicurtà'' is recorded.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)

+ * Second half of the 13th century – ''Segureza'' is recorded.^(Nocentini 2010)

+ * Before 1547 – Pietro Bembo uses ''sicurezza'' for “safety”.^(DELI 1999)

+ * Before 1565 – Benedetto Varchi uses it for “self-assurance”.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1715 – Anton Maria Salvini uses it for “certainty”.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1830 – ''Valvola di sicurezza'' “safety valve” appears in the Milanese press.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1912 – ''Cassette di sicurezza'' are advertised in ''Il Gazzettino''.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1940 – ''Uscita di sicurezza'' “emergency exit” is recorded.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|safety]], [[m|en|security]], the condition of being protected from danger: ''La sicurezza dei passeggeri viene prima di tutto.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # The means and bodies that protect people from risks, security: ''Hanno rafforzato la sicurezza all’ingresso dello stadio.''^(Treccani 2011)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+ # Something or someone one can rely on: ''Mia sorella è sempre stata una sicurezza per me.''^(GRADIT 2003)

+ # Self-[[m|en|confidence]], assurance, sureness of touch: ''Guida con grande sicurezza anche sulla neve.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # [[m|en|certainty]], firm conviction: ''Non ho la sicurezza che arrivi in tempo.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # In phrases, “safety, security” as a qualifier: ''cintura di sicurezza'' (seat belt), ''uscita di sicurezza'' (emergency exit), ''cassetta di sicurezza'' (safe-deposit box).^(Treccani 2011)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Gabrielli 2020)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[insicurezza]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[assicurare]]

+ * [[sicuro]]

+ * [[sicurtà]]

+ * [[cura]]

+ * [[la|securitas]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Pubblica Sicurezza'' (abbreviated PS) survives in ''agente di Pubblica Sicurezza'', a police officer.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary) ''Consiglio di Sicurezza'' is the United Nations Security Council.^(Treccani 2011)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}