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centralino

switchboard

noun chen-trah-LEE-noh Rare
Communication Technology

Origin: Diminutive of centrale (central/exchange).

Also means

telephone exchange

Usage Note

Centralino refers to a telephone switchboard or the operator who manages it. In a company, chiamare il centralino means to call the main reception line. The diminutive suffix -ino does not imply small size here — it is simply the standard term. The plural is centralini.

Examples

"Chiami il centralino per essere trasferito."

Natural Translation

Call the switchboard to be transferred.

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