egregio

distinguished; eminent

adjective eh-GREH-joh Rare

Origin: Latin egregius (outstanding, from the flock), from e- + grex (flock)

Usage Note

Egregio is a formal honorific used almost exclusively in written correspondence: Egregio Signore ('Dear Sir') opens a formal letter to a man, much like English 'Dear Mr. X.' Outside letters it sounds archaic or ironic. It should not be confused with English 'egregious' (which means outrageously bad) — a classic false friend. Agreement: egregio/egregia/egregi/egregie.

Examples

"Egregio Signore, La ringraziamo per la sua lettera."

Natural Translation

Dear Sir, we thank you for your letter.

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