ENGLISH
REFERENCE

venetian

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //vəˈniʃən// UK //vɛnˈɛʃən// vene·tian Archaic Informal

adj. relating to the city of Venice in Italy, its people, or its style. You use this to describe things like art, history, or even a specific type of window blind.

adj. relating to the city of Venice, its inhabitants, or its distinctive cultural and architectural style. Often used to describe specific historical periods, artistic schools, or decorative objects.


SIMPLE

The room was decorated with beautiful Venetian glass.

CONTEXTUAL

We spent the afternoon admiring the intricate details of the Venetian palaces along the Grand Canal.

COMPLEX

The exhibition showcases several Venetian masters whose innovative use of light and color redefined Renaissance painting during the sixteenth century.

Origin

From Latin Venetianus (“Venetic; Venetian”), from Venetia (“lands of the Veneti; Venice, Veneto; Armorica”) + -anus (“-ian”), from Veneti + -ia. In the case of the Veneti of northern Brittany, derived from Gaulish Uenetoi (“the friendly ones, the kinsmen”), from Proto-Celtic wenet, a derivation from wenyā (“kindred”). In the case of the Veneti of northeastern Italy, of uncertain origin but presumably taken from a Venetic endonym, possibly Illyrian or Celtic. Equivalent to Veneto or Venetia + -ian.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun; when referring to the city or its people, it is always capitalized.

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