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colpo

blow

noun KOHL-poh Less Common

Origin: from Latin 'colaphus', a punch

Also means

stroke

Usage Note

Colpo covers a physical hit but lives mostly in figurative phrases: un colpo di telefono (a quick phone call), un colpo di fortuna (a stroke of luck), and un colpo di sole (sunstroke). The medical colpo apoplettico means a stroke, and colpo di Stato is a coup.

Examples

"Ha ricevuto un colpo alla testa."

Natural Translation

He took a blow to the head.

Literal Translation

He has received a blow to-the head.

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