ergastolano

lifer

noun er-gah-stoh-LAH-noh Rare

Origin: From Latin ergastulum (workhouse for slaves).

Also means

life prisoner

Usage Note

Ergastolano is a person serving a life sentence (ergastolo) — the Italian term for a lifer. The ergastolo (life imprisonment) is the most severe sentence in the Italian penal code. The feminine form is ergastolana. Note that ergastolo itself comes from the Latin word for a slave workhouse.

Examples

"L'ergastolano chiese la grazia al presidente."

Natural Translation

The lifer requested a pardon from the president.

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