lastrico

pavement, paving stone

noun LAH-stree-koh Rare

Origin: From lastra (slab) + -ico

Usage Note

Lastrico refers to a paved surface of flat stones. The expression essere sul lastrico (to be on the paving stones) is a very common idiom meaning to be destitute or broke — literally reduced to sleeping on the street. The plural is lastrici. The related word lastra means a flat stone slab or plate.

Examples

"Dopo il fallimento si trovò sul lastrico."

Natural Translation

After the bankruptcy he found himself penniless.

Literal Translation

After the bankruptcy he found himself on-the-pavement.

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