esercito

army

noun eh-ZEHR-chee-toh Common

Origin: from Latin 'exercitus'

Usage Note

Esercito is the land 'army', distinct from marina (navy) and aeronautica (air force). Watch the stress on the second syllable; figuratively un esercito di means 'a whole army of' something; the plural is eserciti.

Examples

"L'esercito difende il paese."

Natural Translation

The army defends the country.

Literal Translation

The army defends the country.

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