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dolo

malice, criminal intent

noun DOH-loh Rare

Origin: From Latin dolus (guile, deceit).

Usage Note

Dolo is exclusively a legal term in modern Italian, denoting intentional wrongdoing or mens rea. Con dolo means 'with intent.' It is contrasted with colpa (negligence) in criminal law: omicidio con dolo vs. omicidio colposo. Outside legal contexts the word is archaic; everyday speakers would say intenzione or malafede.

Examples

"Il giudice ha accertato il dolo dell'imputato."

Natural Translation

The judge established the defendant's criminal intent.

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