insomma Italian · revision 38016

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /inˈsom.ma/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''insomma'''^(Wiktionary)

+ Old forms include [[roa-oit|insonma]], [[roa-oit|insumma]] and [[roa-oit|ensomma]].^(TLIO)^(DEI)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|it|in|somma|t2=sum; substance]], the phrase written as one word.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)^(Wiktionary)^(Treccani 2011) It renders the phrase [[la|in summā|t=in sum, on the whole]], which stood beside [[m|la|ad summam]].^(DELI 1999)^(Wiktionary)^(Treccani 2011) DEI cites the Latin phrase from Cicero and compares [[fr|en somme]], recorded from the 14th century.^(DEI) The separate spelling is still listed as uncommon.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+

+ Its use changed in the late 16th century.^(DELI 1999) Until then, as the linguist Marcello Durante noted, it drew a conclusion from what had just been said; from then on it could also sum up a situation both speakers knew, and so could open a speech.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLIO's first record is Brunetto Latini's ''Rettorica'' (Florence, about 1260–1261), in the sense “in conclusion, all things considered”.^(TLIO) DELI cites the ''Detto d'Amore'' of the late 13th century and Dante: “In somma sappi che tutti fur cherci / e litterati grandi” (in short, know that they were all clerics and great men of letters).^(DELI 1999)^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Old Italian it could also mean “in total, altogether”.^(TLIO) Petrarch and Ariosto used it to round off a list, and so did Castiglione in his praise of Love, “in somma principio e fine d'ogni bene” (in short, the beginning and end of every good).^(GDLI|8)

+

+ As an interjection of impatience or irritation it is recorded from 1509, in Ariosto's comedies.^(DELI 1999) The colloquial answer ''insomma'' “so-so” to a question such as “how are you?” is a later development.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026) The reinforced ''insomma delle somme'' is recorded from the 14th century.^(DEI)^(Treccani 2011) Maltese borrowed the word.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1260–1261 – Brunetto Latini uses it in the ''Rettorica''.^(TLIO)

+ * 1300–1313 – Dante writes ''In somma sappi'' in the ''Inferno''.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 14th century – ''In somma delle somme'' is recorded.^(DEI)

+ * 1509 – Ariosto uses it as an exclamation of impatience.^(DELI 1999)

+ * Late 16th century – It begins to open a speech.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|in short]], in conclusion, all things considered: ''Pioveva, faceva freddo: insomma, una giornata da dimenticare.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(colloquial, as an answer)'' [[m|en|so-so]], not very well: ''«Ti è piaciuto lo spettacolo?» «Insomma.»''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Interjection===

+ # Expressing [[m|en|impatience]] or irritation: ''Insomma, vi decidete o no?''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[somma]]

+ * [[in]]

+ * [[fr|en somme]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}