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appalto

contract

noun ahp-PAHL-toh Less Common

Origin: From medieval Latin appaltare (to lease out), related to patto (agreement).

Also means

public tender

Usage Note

Appalto specifically refers to a public-works or government procurement contract, distinct from a generic contratto. The phrase dare in appalto means to put out to tender. Corruption scandals in Italy often mention appalti truccati (rigged contracts), making the word carry political weight in news contexts.

Examples

"Il comune ha assegnato l'appalto a una ditta locale."

Natural Translation

The municipality awarded the contract to a local firm.

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