magnifico Italian · revision 38913

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1292, Bono Giamboni}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /maɲˈɲi.fi.ko/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''magnifico''' (feminine magnifica, masculine plural magnifici, feminine plural magnifiche)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a learned word, [[bor|la|magnificus|t=splendid; generous; doing great things]], a compound of [[m|la|magnus|t=great]] and [[m|la|-ficus|t=making, doing]], from the stem of [[m|la|faciō|t=to make]].^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary) Latin also had the verb [[m|la|magnificō]], which gave [[magnificare]], and the noun [[m|la|magnificentia]]; the Italian [[magnificente]] was drawn from the superlative [[m|la|magnificentissimus]].^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010) The same Latin word is [[fr|magnifique]] (13th century) and [[es|magnífico]].^(Nocentini 2010)^(DEI|2318)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ DELI's first record is in Bono Giamboni (before 1292), who describes the magnificent man as one who wants his deeds done with great honour and great expense rather than small ones; the sense is “splendid and liberal in living and spending”.^(DELI 1999)^(GDLI)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Dante used the word for generosity and wealth of means (before 1321) and for what excels in beauty and splendour (1304–1308).^(DELI 1999) Boccaccio counted Cangrande della Scala among the most ''magnifici'' lords since the emperor Frederick II.^(GDLI) In Medieval Latin ''magnificus'' was already a common title, and in Italian ''Magnifico'' became a title of patricians and Renaissance lords (before 1443); Lorenzo de' Medici is ''il Magnifico'', and the rector of an Italian university is still ''Magnifico Rettore''.^(DELI 1999)^(DEI|2318)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+

+ English took ''magnifico'' in 1573 from the title of the Venetian magnates, and German ''Magnifico'' is recorded in the 17th century.^(DIFIT)^(DEI|2318) In modern use the adjective mostly means simply “wonderful, beautiful”, and it is used as an exclamation, also ironically.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * Before 1292 – Bono Giamboni uses ''magnifico'' “liberal, splendid”.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1304–1308 – Dante uses it for what excels in beauty and worth.^(DELI 1999)

+ * Before 1443 – Rinaldo degli Albizzi uses ''Magnifico'' as a title.^(DELI 1999)

+ * 1573 – English borrows ''magnifico''.^(DIFIT)

+ * 17th century – German ''Magnifico'' is recorded.^(DIFIT)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|wonderful]], [[m|en|splendid]], beautiful: ''Abbiamo visto un tramonto magnifico.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|sumptuous]], lavish: ''una cena magnifica in villa''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)

+ # Excellent, of high quality; also very good or pleasant: ''un'idea magnifica''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(uncommon)'' Noble-minded and [[m|en|generous]], munificent.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(usually capitalized)'' A title of princes and leading figures in the past, today of university rectors.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[magnificamente]]

+ * [[magnificabile]]

+ * [[magnificare]]

+ * [[magnificatore]]

+ * [[magnificazione]]

+ * [[magnificente]]

+ * [[magnificenza]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[magno]]

+ * [[la|magnificus]]

+ * [[fr|magnifique]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ As an exclamation ''Magnifico!'' expresses enthusiasm, but can also be ironic.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026) ''Fare il magnifico'' is to make a show of generosity.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010) The adjective has no regular superlative;^(Treccani 2011)^(Zingarelli 2010) ''magnificentissimo'' is used in its place.^(Treccani 2011)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}