capriccio

whim

noun kah-PREET-choh Rare

Origin: Italian capriccio, possibly from capo (head) + riccio (hedgehog) — evoking hair standing on end from fright.

Also means

caprice

Usage Note

Capriccio denotes a sudden, impulsive fancy or whim — fare i capricci means 'to throw a tantrum' (used of children). In music it refers to a lively, free-form composition. The plural is capricci. The word entered English directly as 'caprice' and into music/art terminology as 'capriccio.'

Examples

"I bambini fanno i capricci."

Natural Translation

The children are throwing tantrums.

Literal Translation

The children make the whims.

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