spunto

starting point

noun SPOON-toh Rare

Also means

cue

Usage Note

Spunto means an initial idea, stimulus, or cue that gives rise to something further: prendere spunto da ('to take one's cue from'), offrire uno spunto di riflessione ('to offer food for thought'). Do not confuse it with punto ('point') — spunto specifically implies a starting impulse, not a location or score.

Examples

"Il libro mi ha dato uno spunto per la ricerca."

Natural Translation

The book gave me a starting point for the research.

Literal Translation

The book to-me has given a cue for the research.

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