Verbal 9 - English Words of Foreign Origin

Italian Words

Prima dinna - principle female singer in an opera
Soprana - highest singing voice
Crescendo - gradual increase on volume or force
Bravo - well done
Quartet - group of four musicians
Maestro - famous conductor
Mandolin - stringed musical instrument
Finale - the last piece
Duet - a composition for two singers
Forte - to play loudly
Libretts - text of long musical piece
Allegro - at a quick and lively tempo
Presto - to be played very fast
Falsetto - high pitched singing method
Virtuoso - exceptional performer
Diva - women opera singer, famous lady
Dilettante - dabbler in art or knowledge
Bravura - great skill
Tempo - music's speed
Opera - musical drama
Piccolo - a very small flute - like musical instrument
Coda - final section of musical piece
Concerto - musical composition for soloist and orchestra
Madrigal - a song with parts
Balcony - a gallery
Villa - country, estate
Arcade - arched passageway, shops
Catacomb - tomb
mezzanine - lowest balcony
Portico - porch
Piozza - plaza
Grotto - cave
Corridor - hallway
Pedestal - a base or support
Alfresco - in the open air
Lotto - game of chance
Tarot - fortune telling cards
Valise - small piece of luggage
Garb - dress
Gondola - Venetian canal boat
Lagoon - area which is sand banked, saltwater lake
Gala - festive occasion, show
Casino - place for gambling
Cascade - waterfall, anything like a waterfall
Gazette - official newspaper for announcements
Incognito - assumed identity
Parasol - sunshade, umbrella
Regatta - meeting for yacht or boat races
Battalion - an army group
Fracas - uproar
Citadel - fortress
Bandit - robber
Salvo - a round of artillery
Vendetta - a private feud
Stiletto - a small dagger with a thin blade, a heel of female shoe
Cartel - alliance of political parties or business houses
Tirade - long angry speech
Partisan - prejudiced, adherent of a party, biased
Cavalcade - procession of riders, fleet of cars
Panache - dashing style
Manifesto - declaration of policy by a political party
Squadron - an army, navy or air force unit
Ducat - a gold coin
Mercantile - trade
Parmesan - cheese
Contra brand - smuggled goods
Porcelain - fine china, earthenware
Frigate - old warship, corresponding to modern cruiser
Skiff - small flat-bottomed boat
Milliner - maker or dealer in woman's hat
Settee - comfortable seat for two people
Bankrupt - financially insolvent


Yiddish Words

Schnapps - brandy, alcoholic drink
Challah - soft egg bread
Bagel - chewy roll with a hole in the middle
Matzoth - unleavened bread
Nosh - food, eat
Kosher - permitted, good (as of food)
Yenta - gossip
Boychik - little boy
Shmo - butt of a joke
Nudnick - bore
noodge - nag
Skiksa - non - jewish woman
Maven - expert
Klutz - clumsy person
Chai - life
Broche - blessing
Mazeltov - congratulations
Gesundneit - Good health
Chutzpah - boldness, self confidence
Bummer - annoying thing
Kvetch - to grumble or complain
Kibitzer - one who interferes
Golem - creature of clay brought to life by magic as in legend
Naches - proud pleasure
Mitzva - a good deed
Kine-abhora - Magical phrase to ward off evil
Fen - expression of disguist
Boo-boo - mistake
plotz - explode
Gehenna - hell
Mish-mosh - confusion
Bupkes - nothing
Mishegosa - nonsense
Phooeyl - expression of disguist, contempt