cenere

ash; cinders

noun CHEH-neh-reh Rare

Origin: From Latin 'cinis/cineris' (ash).

Usage Note

Cenere is typically used in the singular as a collective noun (like 'ash' in English), though ceneri can refer to remains or ashes in a poetic or religious sense (le ceneri of a deceased person). Il mercoledì delle Ceneri is Ash Wednesday. The feminine gender must be memorised — la cenere — as the -e ending gives no clue.

Examples

"Il vulcano ha coperto la città di cenere."

Natural Translation

The volcano covered the city in ash.

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