ratto

rat

noun RAHT-toh Rare

Also means

theft

Usage Note

Ratto refers specifically to a rat (larger than a mouse, topo). The secondary meaning 'abduction, theft' is archaic or literary (il ratto delle Sabine = the abduction of the Sabine women). In everyday speech, Italians also use topo loosely for rats, so context matters.

Examples

"Un ratto attraversò il vicolo di notte."

Natural Translation

A rat crossed the alley at night.

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