ricalcare

to trace over

verb ree-kahl-KAH-reh Rare

Origin: From ri- (again) + calcare (to press/tread), from Latin 'calcare'.

Also means

to follow closely

Usage Note

Ricalcare literally means to trace a drawing by pressing over it; figuratively it means to follow a model very closely — ricalcare le orme di qualcuno ('to follow in someone's footsteps'). Compound tenses use avere.

Examples

"Il pittore ricalca il disegno originale con cura."

Natural Translation

The painter traces over the original drawing carefully.

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