delfino

dolphin

noun del-FEE-noh Less Common

Origin: from Greek 'delphis'

Also means

heir apparent

Usage Note

Delfino is masculine, plural delfini. Beyond the sea creature it carries the figurative sense of a designated successor (like English 'dauphin'), so a politician's chosen heir is called il suo delfino.

Examples

"Un delfino salta tra le onde."

Natural Translation

A dolphin jumps among the waves.

Literal Translation

A dolphin jumps among the waves.

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