rissa

brawl, fistfight

noun REES-sah Rare

Usage Note

Rissa denotes a public or group physical fight — a brawl involving multiple people, as distinct from a one-on-one duel (duello) or mere argument (litigio). It is a legal term in Italian: rissa is a criminal offence under Article 588 of the Penal Code. The verb is rissare (rare) or the expression essere in rissa. Plural: risse.

Examples

"È scoppiata una rissa fuori dal locale."

Natural Translation

A brawl broke out outside the venue.

Literal Translation

Is broken-out a brawl outside from-the venue.

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