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scalfire

to scratch, to graze

verb skahl-FEE-reh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Textures

Also means

to dent, to make a dent in

Usage Note

Scalfire belongs to the -ire conjugation group and takes avere. Literally it means to make a superficial scratch on a surface; figuratively non scalfire something means 'not to make a dent' — la critica non lo ha scalfito ('the criticism didn't affect him at all'). The figurative sense is very common in Italian journalism.

Examples

"Il diamante non riesce a scalfire questo materiale."

Natural Translation

The diamond cannot scratch this material.

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