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rifugio

refuge

noun ree-FOO-joh Rare

Origin: Latin refugium, from refugere (to flee back).

Also means

shelter

Usage Note

Rifugio is masculine: il rifugio, i rifugi. In an Alpine context it specifically means a mountain hut (rifugio alpino) where hikers can rest or stay overnight. Figuratively, trovare rifugio means to find shelter or solace, and the word carries a sense of safety from something threatening.

Examples

"Ci siamo fermati al rifugio alpino."

Natural Translation

We stopped at the mountain hut.

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