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scaramanzia

superstition

noun skah-rah-man-TSEE-ah Rare
Arts & Culture Traditions

Also means

warding off bad luck

Usage Note

Scaramanzia is a distinctly Italian cultural concept: the practice of rituals, gestures, or phrases to ward off bad luck — touching iron (toccare ferro), making the corna gesture, or avoiding certain words before a game. It is broader than mere superstition (superstizione) and implies an active, habitual set of protective behaviours. Per scaramanzia is a common phrase meaning 'just to be safe' or 'for luck'.

Examples

"Per scaramanzia non parla mai di vittoria prima della partita."

Natural Translation

Out of superstition, he never talks about winning before the match.

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