arriccio: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Specialized/Technical
Quick answer
What does “arriccio” mean?
A technical term from Italian, used primarily in art conservation and fresco painting to denote the rough, second preparatory plaster layer applied to a wall before painting.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A technical term from Italian, used primarily in art conservation and fresco painting to denote the rough, second preparatory plaster layer applied to a wall before painting.
The specific layer in the traditional fresco technique (buon fresco) which is applied over the initial roughcast (rinzaffo) and under the final smooth painting layer (intonaco). It is keyed and roughened to provide a good grip for the final layer. The term is used almost exclusively within the fine arts, particularly art history and conservation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage, spelling, or meaning. The term is borrowed directly from Italian into English technical vocabulary.
Connotations
No regional connotations; it is a neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, limited to the same specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “arriccio” in a Sentence
The [substance] is applied as an/the arriccio.The painter prepared the arriccio (layer).The fresco was damaged down to the arriccio.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used in art history, fine arts, and conservation science papers and lectures on fresco techniques.
Everyday
Almost never used.
Technical
Core usage in fresco painting manuals, art conservation reports, and historical building restoration guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arriccio”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arriccio”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arriccio”
- Pronouncing it as /æˈrɪkɪəʊ/ or /əˈriːkioʊ/.
- Using it as a general term for any plaster.
- Capitalising it as a proper noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a loanword from Italian that is used in the English lexicon, but exclusively as a technical term within the fields of art history and conservation.
No, it is a highly specialised term. Using it in general conversation would likely cause confusion, as most native speakers will not know the word.
The 'arriccio' is the rough, second preparatory plaster layer. The 'intonaco' is the final, smooth layer of plaster on which the painter actually applies the pigment while it is still wet.
The standard anglicised pronunciation is /əˈrɪtʃoʊ/, with the stress on the second syllable and a 'ch' sound as in 'church'.
A technical term from Italian, used primarily in art conservation and fresco painting to denote the rough, second preparatory plaster layer applied to a wall before painting.
Arriccio is usually specialized/technical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'ARRIVE' at the second layer: ARR-I-Ccio is the intermediate layer you arrive at after the first roughcast.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A. It is a concrete, technical term without common metaphorical extension.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'arriccio' most likely be used?