ossigeno

oxygen

noun os-SEE-jeh-noh Rare

Origin: From French oxygène, coined by Lavoisier from Greek oxys ('sharp/acid') + genes ('producing').

Usage Note

Ossigeno is masculine: l'ossigeno. It is used both in its chemical/scientific sense (O₂) and figuratively — boccata d'ossigeno (a breath of fresh air, a welcome respite). The verb ossigenare means to oxygenate; bionda ossigenata refers to bleached-blonde hair (hydrogen peroxide shares the root).

Examples

"Il cervello ha bisogno di ossigeno."

Natural Translation

The brain needs oxygen.

Literal Translation

The brain has need of oxygen.

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