Italian–English dictionary

masticare in modo rumoroso

(intransitive) To bite or chew loudly or heavily.

mastodonte

Extinct elephant-like mammal of the genus †Mammut that flourished worldwide from Miocene through Pleistocene times; differs from elephants and mammoths in the form of the molar teeth.

mastodontico

(informal) Of an extremely large size.

mastro

Original.

masturbare

(intransitive) To stimulate oneself sexually, especially by use of one’s hand or a sex toy made for this purpose, often to the point of ejaculation or orgasm.

masturbarsi

(intransitive) To stimulate oneself sexually, especially by use of one’s hand or a sex toy made for this purpose, often to the point of ejaculation or orgasm.

masturbatore

(sometimes, pejorative) Someone who masturbates.

masturbatrice

(sometimes, pejorative) Someone who masturbates.

matador

(bullfighting) The person whose aim is to kill the bull in a bullfight.

matassa

A quantity of yarn, thread, etc. put up together in an oblong shape, after it is taken from the reel. A skein of cotton yarn is formed by eighty turns of the thread around a fifty-four inch reel.

mate

(uncountable) A beverage, resembling tea, made from the dried leaves of this plant.

matematica

An expert on mathematics; someone who studies mathematics.

matematicamente

According to or using mathematics.

matematico

Of, or relating to mathematics

materassino

(athletics) A floor pad to protect athletes.

materasso

A pad on which a person can recline and sleep, usually having an inner section of coiled springs covered with foam or other cushioning material then enclosed with cloth fabric.

materasso ad acqua

A bed with a tough plastic mattress filled with water.

materasso giapponese

A thin mattress of tufted cotton or similar material, placed on a floor or on a raised, foldable frame as a bed.

materia

An affair, condition, or subject, especially one of concern or (especially when preceded by the) one that is problematic.

materia prima

(economics) Raw materials, agricultural and other primary products as objects of large-scale trading in specialized exchanges.

materiale

(law) Applying to essential legal principles and rules of right.

materiale alluvionale

That which is driven, forced, or urged along.

materiale filmato

(usually, uncountable) An amount of film or tape that has been used to record something.

materialista

Someone who is materialistic, concerned only with material possessions.

maternità surrogata

The practice of being a surrogate mother.

materno

Befitting a mother; warm, caring, nurturing, protective, loving.

Matia

A en given name, derived from the same source as Matthew.

Matilde

A en given name.

matita

A writing utensil with a graphite (commonly referred to as lead) shaft, usually blended with clay, clad in wood, and sharpened to a taper. [from 16th c.]

matriarca

A female leader of a family, a tribe or an ethnic or religious group.

matriarcato

The dominance of women in social or cultural systems.

matrice

the part of a cheque that is retained in the chequebook as a record; a stub

matricola

(US, Canada, Philippines) a person (of either sex) entering the first year of an institution, especially a high school (ninth grade for US, grade 9 for Canada, grade 7 for Philippines), a university, or legislative body

matrimoniale

Of, or having to do with matrimony and marriage.

matrimonio

(uncountable) Marriage; the state of being married.

matta

A playing card that features a picture of a joker (that is, a jester) and that may be used as a wild card in some card games.

mattanza

(uncountable) The killing of animals, generally for food.

mattatoio

A public slaughterhouse for cattle, sheep, etc. [Early 19th century.]

Matteo

A en given name of biblical origin.

Mattia

A en given name of biblical origin.

mattina

(used after the hour) In the 12-hour period from midnight to noon (the first half of the day) when using the 12-hour clock.

mattiniero

(idiomatic) A person who wakes early or arrives early, typically before most others.

matto

(slang) Mad, crazy, silly.

mattone

(countable) A hardened rectangular block of mud, clay etc., used for building.

mattonella

A paving stone; a flagstone.

mattutino

Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time.

matura

(of fruits, vegetables, seeds etc.) Ready for reaping or gathering; having attained perfection; mature.

maturare

(idiomatic, by extension) To mature, or become fully developed.

maturato

(of foods) Advanced to the state of fitness for use; mellow.

maturazione

The process of becoming mature.

maturità

(England, Wales) A non-compulsory examination taken in the final two years of secondary education as a requisite for university or other tertiary education; the qualification obtained by passing such an exam

maturo

(of fruits, vegetables, seeds etc.) Ready for reaping or gathering; having attained perfection; mature.

matusa

A dull person (especially an old man) who is behind the times, holding antiquated, over-conservative views.

Matusalemme

The oldest person whose age is recorded in the Hebrew Bible, having reportedly lived 969 years.

Mauritius

The main island of the country of Mauritius.

Maurizio

A en given name, equivalent to English Morris.

mausoleo

A large stately tomb or a building housing such a tomb or several tombs.

mazza

(intransitive) To take a turn at hitting a ball with a bat in sports like cricket, baseball and softball, as opposed to fielding.

mazza d'armi

A ceremonial form of this weapon.

mazza da croquet

(music) A small hammer-like tool used for playing certain musical instruments.

mazzafrusto

A weapon which has the (usually spherical) striking part attached to the handle with a flexible joint such as a chain.

mazzapicchio

(weaponry, historical) A poleaxe with a modified hammerhead and a spike mounted on the top of the pole.

mazzaranga

A tool used to tamp something down, such as tobacco in a pipe.

mazzeranga

A tool used to tamp something down, such as tobacco in a pipe.

mazzetta

(informal) A bribe, a secret payment.

mazzetto

A small bunch of fragrant flowers or herbs tied in a bundle, often presented as a gift; nosegays were originally intended to be put to the nose for the pleasant sensation or to mask unpleasant odours. [from 15th c.]

mazzo

A bunch of cut flowers.

mazzo di fiori

A flower; a small bouquet; a nosegay. [from 1570s]

mazzolino

A small bunch of fragrant flowers or herbs tied in a bundle, often presented as a gift; nosegays were originally intended to be put to the nose for the pleasant sensation or to mask unpleasant odours. [from 15th c.]

mazzuolo

A wooden mallet, used by a courtroom judge, or by a committee chairman, struck against a sounding block to quieten those present, or by an auctioneer to accept the highest bid at auction.

mbè

Used as a question to demand an answer from someone.

meandro

(by extension) Anything complicated and confusing in structure, arrangement, or character.

meccanica

(physics) The branch of physics that deals with the action of forces on material objects with mass

meccanico

Related to mechanics (the branch of physics that deals with forces acting on matter).

meccanismo

A device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect.

meccanismo a molla

A mechanism powered by a coiled spring and regulated by some form of escapement; the power is transmitted through toothed gearwheels and used to drive a mechanical clock, toy, or other device.

meccanizzazione

The use of machinery to replace human or animal labour, especially in agriculture and industry.

mecenate

A generous benefactor; specifically, a patron of literature or art.

meconio

(medicine) A dark green mass, the contents of the fetal intestines during the later stages of mammalian gestation, that forms the first feces of the newborn.

medaglia

A trophy or medal; something that denotes an accomplishment, especially in a competition. A prize or honor based on merit.

medaglia d'oro

☉ (alchemy)

medaglione

The patty used in such a sandwich.

Medea

(Greek mythology) An enchantress who helped Jason obtain the Golden Fleece.

medesimo

Something similar, something of the identical type.

media

(not comparable) Constituting or relating to the average.

mediamente

In an average manner.

mediana

(statistics) A number separating the higher half from the lower half of a data sample, population, or probability distribution. The median of a finite list of numbers can be found by arranging all the observations from lowest value to highest value and picking the middle one (e.g., the median of {3, 3, 5, 9, 11} is 5). If there is an even number of observations, then there is no single middle value; the median is then usually defined to be the mean of the two middle values. [from 19th c.]

mediano

(statistics) A number separating the higher half from the lower half of a data sample, population, or probability distribution. The median of a finite list of numbers can be found by arranging all the observations from lowest value to highest value and picking the middle one (e.g., the median of {3, 3, 5, 9, 11} is 5). If there is an even number of observations, then there is no single middle value; the median is then usually defined to be the mean of the two middle values. [from 19th c.]

mediante

Indicates a means of achieving something: Involving/using the means of.

mediatore

A person who helps a group to have an effective dialog without taking any side of the argument, especially in order to reach a consensus.

mediatrice

One who negotiates between parties seeking mutual agreement.

mediazione

A process through which two or more parties use an arbitrator or arbiter in order to resolve a dispute.

medicamento

(uncountable, countable) A substance which specifically promotes healing when ingested or consumed in some way; a pharmaceutical drug.

medicamentoso

Tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain.

medicastro

(dated, now, chiefly, literary) A quack doctor; someone who pretends to have medical knowledge.

medicina

(uncountable, countable) A substance which specifically promotes healing when ingested or consumed in some way; a pharmaceutical drug.

medicinale

Tending or used to cure disease or relieve pain.

medico

Of or pertaining to the practice of medicine.

medico-legale

Relating to the use of science and technology in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a court of law.

mediconzolo

(pejorative) A fraudulent healer, especially a bombastic peddler in worthless treatments, a doctor who makes false diagnoses for monetary benefit, or an untrained or poorly trained doctor who uses fraudulent credentials to attract patients [from c. 1630]

medicuccio

(pejorative) A fraudulent healer, especially a bombastic peddler in worthless treatments, a doctor who makes false diagnoses for monetary benefit, or an untrained or poorly trained doctor who uses fraudulent credentials to attract patients [from c. 1630]

medievale

Of or relating to the Middle Ages, the period from approximately 500 to 1500 AD.

medio

(not comparable) Constituting or relating to the average.

mediocre

Low in quality or degree; inferior; poor; shabby.

mediocrità

(uncountable) The condition of being mediocre; having only an average degree of quality, skills etc.; no better than standard.

medioevale

Of or relating to the Middle Ages, the period from approximately 500 to 1500 AD.

meditabondo

Deeply or seriously thoughtful.

meditare

(intransitive) To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon something; to study.

mediterraneo

Of or pertaining to the Mediterranean Sea and its surrounding region.

medium

(parapsychology) A person who supposedly contacts the dead; a medium.

Medusa

(Greek mythology) The youngest and only mortal of the three gorgon sisters, killed by Perseus.

Mefistofele

The Devil to whom Faust sold his soul in the legend.

megabit

(computing) One million (106, or 1,000,000) bits or 1,000 kilobits. Equals 125,000 bytes (125 kilobytes).

megafono

A portable, usually hand-held, funnel-shaped device that is used to amplify a person’s natural voice toward a targeted direction.

megalite

A large stone slab making up a prehistoric monument, or part of such a monument.

megalito

A large stone slab making up a prehistoric monument, or part of such a monument.

megalopoli

A large conurbation, where two or more large cities have sprawled outward to meet, forming something larger than a normal metropolis.

megastore

An extremely large store; a hypermarket.

megera

A witch, sorceress, or enchantress; a female wizard.

meglio

To the most advantage; with the most success, cause, profit, benefit, or propriety.

Mekong

A river in southeastern Asia that flows about 4,183 km (2,600 miles) from Tibet to the South China Sea in Vietnam.

mela

A tree of the genus Malus; especially Malus domestica which is cultivated for its edible fruit; the apple tree. [from 15th c.]

mela cotogna

(countable) The deciduous tree bearing such fruit, native to Asia.

melafonino

(trademark) A smartphone of a series produced by Apple, which typically combine a camera phone, PDA, multimedia player, and wireless communication device.

melagrana

The fruit of the Punica granatum, about the size of an orange with a thick, hard, reddish skin enclosing many seeds, each with an edible pink or red pulp tasting both sweet and tart.

melagrano

The shrub or small tree that bears the fruit.

melampo

An African antelope, Aepyceros melampus, noted for its leaping ability; the male has ridged, curved horns.

melancolico

Filled with or affected by melancholy—great sadness or depression, especially of a thoughtful or introspective nature.

melanconico

Drab; dark, colorless, or cheerless.

melanina

(biochemistry) Any of a group of naturally occurring dark pigments, especially the pigment found in skin, hair, fur, and feathers.

melanoceto

Any fish of the bony fish order Lophiiformes, which have an outgrowth they wiggle to lure and catch their prey.

melanoma

(oncology, disease) A dark-pigmented, usually malignant tumor arising from a melanocyte and occurring most commonly in the skin.

melanzana

(North America, AU, NZ, Philippines) The plant Solanum melongena or its edible fruit; an aubergine.

melassa

A thick, sweet syrup drained from sugarcane, especially (North America) the still thicker and sweeter syrup produced by boiling down raw molasses.

melata

(uncountable) A sweet, sticky substance deposited on leaves and other plant parts by insects (especially aphids and scale insects) feeding on plant sap, or by fungi.

Melbourne

The capital city of Victoria, Australia and former capital of Australia (1901–1927).

melica

A cereal, Sorghum genus and species, the grains of which are cultivated to make flour and feed cattle. Almost all cultivated ones as well as some wild ones belong to the species Sorghum bicolor (syn. Sorghum vulgare).

meliga

A cereal, Sorghum genus and species, the grains of which are cultivated to make flour and feed cattle. Almost all cultivated ones as well as some wild ones belong to the species Sorghum bicolor (syn. Sorghum vulgare).

Melissa

A en given name.

mellifluo

Flowing like honey.

melma

(uncountable, informal) Any semi-solid or liquid substance; especially one that is sticky, gummy or slippery, unpleasant, and of vague or unknown composition, such as slime or semen.

melmosità

The characteristic of being muddy.

melocotogno

(countable) The deciduous tree bearing such fruit, native to Asia.

melodia

A sequence of notes that makes up a musical phrase.

melodioso

Of a pleasant sound.

melodramma

(countable) A drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic.

melodrammatico

Of or pertaining to melodrama; like or suitable to a melodrama; unnatural in situation or action.

melogranato

The shrub or small tree that bears the fruit.

melograno

The fruit of the Punica granatum, about the size of an orange with a thick, hard, reddish skin enclosing many seeds, each with an edible pink or red pulp tasting both sweet and tart.

melolonta

Any of the large European beetles from the genus Melolontha that are destructive to vegetation.