Usage Note
Centellinare literally means to taste wine drop by drop (centellino = small drop), and by extension means to ration or mete out anything sparingly — words, praise, money, or time. It conveys deliberate, measured restraint. The figurative use (centellinare le parole) is very common in journalism.
Examples
"Centellinava ogni sorso di vino pregiato."
Natural Translation
He sipped every mouthful of fine wine slowly.
Literal Translation
He-sipped every sip of wine prized.
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