liutaio

luthier, string instrument maker

noun lyoo-TAH-yoh Rare

Origin: From liuto (lute) + -aio (craftsman suffix); liuto from Arabic al-oud

Usage Note

Liutaio originally meant a lute maker but today refers to any maker of stringed instruments — violins, cellos, guitars. Cremona, home of Stradivari, is considered the world capital of liuteria (the craft). The feminine is liutaia; the craft itself is liuteria.

Examples

"Il liutaio di Cremona costruisce violini pregiati."

Natural Translation

The luthier from Cremona builds fine violins.

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