letterato

man of letters

noun let-teh-RAH-toh Rare

Origin: from Latin litteratus (learned)

Also means

scholar

Usage Note

Letterato denotes a person deeply versed in literature and the humanities — a scholar or intellectual, not just someone who can read. The feminine is letterata. In historical contexts it overlaps with umanista (humanist); today it can carry a slightly ironic flavour implying bookishness.

Examples

"Era un letterato raffinato e curioso."

Natural Translation

He was a refined and curious man of letters.

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