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volto

face

noun VOHL-toh Less Common

Origin: from Latin vultus

Also means

countenance

Usage Note

Volto is a more literary, expressive word for face than the everyday faccia or viso. It identical to the past participle of volgere ('turned'), so context decides meaning.

Examples

"Il suo volto esprimeva tristezza."

Natural Translation

His face expressed sadness.

Literal Translation

The his face expressed sadness.

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