paletta

small shovel; paddle; (traffic) signal bat

noun pah-LET-tah Rare

Also means

lollipop sign (school crossing)

Usage Note

Paletta is the diminutive of pala (shovel, blade) and has several distinct uses: a small spade or dustpan (paletta della spazzatura), a ping-pong or table-tennis bat, or the red-and-white circular sign used by Italian traffic police to stop vehicles. Context makes the meaning clear. The plural palette is regular.

Examples

"Il poliziotto ha alzato la paletta per fermare le auto."

Natural Translation

The police officer raised the signal bat to stop the cars.

Literal Translation

The policeman has raised the signal-bat to stop the cars.

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