ringraziare Italian · revision 38050

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=before 1226|origins=la grātus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /rin.ɡratˈt͡sja.re/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''ringraziare''' (first-person singular present ringràzio, first-person singular past historic ringraziài, past participle ringraziàto, auxiliary avére)^(Wiktionary)

+ Old forms include [[roa-oit|rengraziare]], [[roa-oit|rengraciare]], [[roa-oit|ringrazare]] and [[roa-oit|ringratiare]].^(GDLI|16, 554)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[grazie|t=thanks]], the plural of [[grazia]], with the prefixes [[ri-]], which here means giving back, and [[in-]], which marks a movement towards; the verb ending is [[-are]].^(DELI 1999)^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto 1968|373)^(Wiktionary) Zingarelli analyses it as ⟨r(i)-⟩ added to the old verb [[roa-oit|ingraziare]], while Nocentini and Devoto–Oli speak of the single prefix [[rin-]].^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Nocentini 2010)^(Devoto–Oli 2026) The GDLI takes the ⟨re-⟩ as intensive.^(GDLI|16, 554) ⟨Grazia⟩ is [[la|grātia|t=favour; thanks]], from [[m|la|grātus|t=pleasing; grateful]].^(DELI 1999)

+

+ Körting observes that only in French and in Occitan is “to thank” expressed with a verb from [[la|mercēs|t=reward; mercy]], as in [[fr|remercier]]: Italian uses a derivative of ⟨gratia⟩, as do [[es|agradecer]] and [[pt|agradecer]].^(Körting 1907)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ GRADIT dates the verb before 1226 and Zingarelli about 1224.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010) DELI's first dated record, in the sense “to express gratitude, to give thanks to someone for something”, is Bono Giamboni's ''Libro de' Vizi e delle Virtudi'', before 1292.^(DELI 1999)^(DIFIT)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An early lyric thanks a “donna valente” for having taken the poet's eyes and heart, and Fra Giordano asks his listeners whether they would not give thanks for a second gift.^(GDLI|16, 554) In ''Paradiso'' 10 Beatrice tells Dante “ringrazia, / ringrazia il Sol de li angeli”, and Petrarch, in sonnet 289, thanks Laura for the high counsel that made him think of his salvation.^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861)^(GDLI|16, 554) The noun ''ringraziamento'' is recorded in Domenico Cavalca, before 1342, and its plural “words or tokens of thanks” in the ''Motti e facezie del Piovano Arlotto'', before 1484.^(DELI 1999) Old Italian also used the infinitive as a noun, ''i debiti ringraziari''.^(GDLI|16, 555)

+

+ Modern usage adds the polite refusal (''la ringrazio, ma...''), the ironic use for an unwelcome favour and the formulas of relief ''ringraziare Dio'' and ''ringraziare il cielo''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Gabrielli 2020) French slang of 1821 borrowed the word as ''rengracier'' “to give in”, and later army slang used it for deserting.^(DIFIT)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * Before 1226 – GRADIT's date for the first record.^(GRADIT 2003)

+ * Before 1292 – Bono Giamboni uses ''ringraziare'' “to thank”.^(DELI 1999)

+ * Before 1342 – Domenico Cavalca uses ''ringraziamento''.^(DELI 1999)

+ * Before 1484 – The plural ''ringraziamenti'' appears in the Piovano Arlotto.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1821 – French slang ''rengracier'' “to give in” is recorded.^(DIFIT)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|thank]], to express gratitude to someone in words or deeds: ''Le ho scritto per ringraziarla dei fiori.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # In polite formulas, to decline an offer or invitation: ''Ti ringrazio, ma stasera non posso.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # ''(ironic)'' To “thank” someone for something unwelcome.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Gabrielli 2020)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # ''ringraziare Dio, il cielo'': an expression of relief that something went well or that a danger was avoided.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # To be grateful to a thing or circumstance for a lucky outcome: ''Ringrazia il casco, che ti ha salvato la testa.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(religion)'' To give thanks to God, the Virgin or the saints for graces received.^(GRADIT 2003)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[ringraziamento]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[grazia]]

+ * [[grazie]]

+ * [[la|gratia]]

+ * [[fr|remercier]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}