mostra Italian · revision 38798

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=before 1292, Bono Giamboni|origins=la moneō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈmos.tra/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mostra''' ''f'' (plural mostre)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a deverbal noun of [[mostrare|t=to show]].^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)^(GRADIT 2003)^(DEI)^(Wiktionary) The verb continues [[la|mōnstrō|t=to show, point out]], a derivative of [[m|la|mōnstrum|t=portent, sign of the gods]], so that it first meant showing the will of the gods before it became the everyday word for “to point out”.^(DELI 1999|mostrare)^(Nocentini 2010|mostrare) This noun comes from [[m|la|moneō|t=to remind, warn]], with the suffix [[m|la|-strum]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ Sabatini–Coletti derive the sense “clock face” from [[fr|montre]], the French noun of the same origin.^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Treccani 2011) GDLI records two other words of this spelling: the feminine of [[mostro]] “monster”, used in jest, and a Tuscan word for a schoolmistress, a Florentine pronunciation of [[maestra]].^(GDLI)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ DELI's first record is Bono Giamboni (before 1292), with the sense of showing, especially in display;^(DELI 1999)^(GDLI) Giamboni writes of the Roman ornaments that Viriathus set ''alla mostra'' on his mountains as a sign of victory.^(DELI 1999)^(GDLI) GRADIT dates the word to 1313–1319, in the sense of an exhibition.^(GRADIT 2003)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 14th century ''mostra'' was also a military review or parade, and Dante saw knights ''far lor mostra'', parading before battle.^(DELI 1999)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(DIFIT) In the merchant language of Florence it meant a shop window (1319, then in the statutes of the Calimala guild of 1332–1337) and a sample of goods (1384).^(DELI 1999) Sacchetti uses it for pretence (before 1400), the sense still alive in ''far mostra di'', to pretend (1525, Pigafetta).^(DELI 1999)

+

+ The sense “exhibition” is dated 1550, in Vasari, though a horse fair was called ''monstra'' at Bergamo in 1429.^(DELI 1999) Later senses are a lapel in a different cloth (1541), the military collar badge, now ''mostrina'' (1871), and the face of a clock (before 1703).^(DELI 1999) ''Mettere in mostra'' is from Manzoni (1840–1842).^(DELI 1999) Its sense “sample” was borrowed as [[de|Muster|t=pattern, sample]] about 1400, and English took ''mostra'' as a musical sign in 1724.^(DIFIT)^(DEI)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * Before 1292 – Bono Giamboni uses ''mostra'' “display”.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1319 – A Florentine text uses it for a shop window.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1384 – A Florentine letter uses it for a sample of goods.^(DELI 1999)

+ * Before 1400 – Sacchetti uses it for pretence.^(DELI 1999)

+ * c. 1400 – German ''Muster'' “sample” is borrowed from it.^(DIFIT)

+ * 1429 – ''Monstra'' names a horse fair at Bergamo.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1550 – Vasari uses it for an exhibition.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1724 – English ''mostra'' is recorded as a musical term.^(DIFIT)

+ * 1840–1842 – Manzoni uses ''mettere in mostra''.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|display]] of something one is proud of; [[m|en|show]], showing off: ''far mostra della propria cultura'', ''mettersi in mostra'', to draw attention to oneself.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # An [[m|en|exhibition]] of works of art, or of objects, animals or products for the public: ''Abbiamo visitato una mostra di fotografia.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # The place or building where an exhibition is held.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # Pretence; in ''far mostra di'', to pretend.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Gabrielli 2020)

+ # ''(dated)'' A shop window; the front of a shop.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Gabrielli 2020)

+ # ''(uncommon)'' A [[m|en|sample]] of a kind of goods.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # ''(clothing)'' A lapel or facing in a different cloth or colour.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+ # ''(dated)'' The face of a clock, ''(nautical)'' a precision pocket watch used for observations on board.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Treccani 2011)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[mostrina]]

+ * [[mostreggiatura]]

+ * [[mostra mercato]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mostrare]]

+ * [[mostro]]

+ * [[dimostrare]]

+ * [[la|mōnstrō]]

+ * [[de|Muster]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}