cerchiare

to encircle, to put a ring around

verb cher-KYAH-reh Rare

Also means

to barrel (a cask)

Usage Note

Cerchiare means to encircle with a ring or hoop: cerchiare una botte ('to hoop a barrel') is the traditional cooper's action. In modern use it appears in office and editorial contexts: cerchiare una risposta ('to circle an answer on a form'). The reflexive is not common. It conjugates with avere and follows the regular -are pattern. The noun cerchiatura refers to the set of hoops on a barrel.

Examples

"Cerchia la risposta corretta nel foglio."

Natural Translation

Circle the correct answer on the sheet.

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