impennata

surge

noun eem-pen-NAH-tah Rare

Origin: From impennare (to rear up), from penna (feather/wing) — literally 'rising on the haunches like a horse spreading its wings'.

Also means

rearing (of a horse)

Usage Note

Impennata originally described a horse rearing up on its hind legs; today it is used almost exclusively for a sudden sharp rise — in prices (impennata dei prezzi), temperature, or violence. It carries a sense of abruptness and force that aumento does not.

Examples

"C'è stata una forte impennata dei prezzi energetici."

Natural Translation

There was a sharp surge in energy prices.

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