tranquillo Italian · revision 37942

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1252–1258, Storie de Troia e de Roma|origins=la tranquillus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /tranˈkwil.lo/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''tranquillo''' (feminine tranquilla, masculine plural tranquilli, feminine plural tranquille, superlative tranquillissimo)^(Wiktionary)

+ Older forms are [[roa-oit|tranquilo]], with the southern [[roa-oit|tranquillu]].^(TLIO)^(GDLI)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a learned word, [[bor|la|tranquillus|t=calm, still]], an adjective used by Latin writers from Plautus on, above all of the sea.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)^(GRADIT 2003)^(DEI|3861)^(de Vaan 2008) The same Latin adjective gave [[fr|tranquille]] (14th century) and [[es|tranquilo]].^(Nocentini 2010)^(DEI|3861)

+

+ The origin of the Latin adjective is uncertain.^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(DEI|3861) The usual explanation joins [[la|trāns|t=across]] and the root of [[m|la|quiēs|t=rest, quiet]], with [[itc-pro|*trānskʷīlos]].^(Nocentini 2010)^(Devoto 1968)^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) De Vaan finds it vague in meaning, because the prefix does not fit, and doubtful in sound and suffix.^(de Vaan 2008) DELI records a view that the word first meant “transparent” and then “calm”, but finds it hard to square with the formation, which would lead one to expect a form with ⟨-squ-⟩.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLIO's first record is in the Roman ''Storie de Troia e de Roma'' (1252–1258), where the word describes what is still or calm.^(TLIO) DELI dates “quiet, serene” to Dante, who speaks of light seen “per acque nitide e tranquille” (through clear and still waters).^(DELI 1999)^(GDLI|21, 165)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Old Italian used it of the sea, the wind, the weather and sheltered places, of people untroubled by cares or passions, and of a country at peace.^(TLIO) A noun ''tranquillo'' “calm” was used by Giovanni Villani and Torquato Tasso;^(Prati 1951|1009)^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861|4, 1545) Villani's ''tenere in tranquillo'' meant “to keep quiet”.^(Prati 1951|1009)^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861|4, 1545) The senses “enjoying peace of mind” and “not given to anger” are dated 1879 by DELI, from Tommaseo, and “taking no part in brawls” 1875.^(DELI 1999) Wine-makers call a wine without fizz ''tranquillo''.^(Zingarelli 2010)^(GRADIT 2003)

+

+ The derivatives came early: ''tranquillitate'' is in Iacopone da Todi (before 1306) and ''tranquillare'' in the late 13th century.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010) ''Tranquillizzare'' (1769) was frowned on by purists as a copy of French ''tranquilliser'';^(DELI 1999) ''tranquillante'' “tranquillizer” is from 1957.^(DELI 1999) As a musical direction ''tranquillo'' passed into English (1854) and German (1865).^(DIFIT)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1252–1258 – The ''Storie de Troia e de Roma'' have the first record.^(TLIO)

+ * Late 13th century – ''Tranquillare'' is recorded.^(Nocentini 2010)

+ * Before 1306 – Iacopone da Todi uses ''tranquillitate''.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1313–1319 – Dante uses ''tranquillo'' for “quiet, serene”.^(GRADIT 2003)^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1769 – ''Tranquillizzare'' appears in the letters of the Verri brothers.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1854 – English takes over ''tranquillo'' as a musical direction.^(DIFIT)

+ * 1957 – ''Tranquillante'' “tranquillizer” is recorded.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|calm]], still (of the sea, the wind, the air): ''Stamattina il lago era tranquillo.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|quiet]], peaceful (of a place): ''Cerchiamo un albergo tranquillo, lontano dal centro.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # Untroubled, at ease, not worried; often in ''stare tranquillo'': ''Stai tranquillo, ci penso io.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # Placid, [[m|en|peaceable]] (of a person or a people); docile (of an animal).^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # ''(winemaking)'' Still, not sparkling.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # ''(music)'' To be played calmly.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(DIFIT)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[tranquillante]]

+ * [[tranquillare]]

+ * [[tranquillità]]

+ * [[tranquillizzare]]

+ * [[intranquillo]]

+ * [[tranquillamente]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[quiete]]

+ * [[cheto]]

+ * [[la|tranquillus]]

+ * [[fr|tranquille]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Used as an interjection, ''tranquillo!'' means “don't worry!”, and it can work as an adverb, as in ''vivere tranquillo''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010) Common phrases are ''avere la coscienza tranquilla'' and ''dormire sonni tranquilli''.^(GRADIT 2003)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}