fanciullo

child, youngster

noun fan-CHOOL-loh Rare

Usage Note

Fanciullo is a literary and slightly elevated synonym for 'child', more poetic than bambino. The feminine is fanciulla; plural fanciulli/fanciulle. It features prominently in Italian poetry and prose — notably in Leopardi's Il sabato del villaggio — and can sound archaic in plain conversation.

Examples

"Il fanciullo guardava le stelle con occhi curiosi."

Natural Translation

The child looked at the stars with curious eyes.

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