insignire

to honor, to award

verb een-see-NYEE-reh Rare

Origin: From Latin insignire, 'to mark with a sign/badge'.

Usage Note

Insignire is a formal verb used in official contexts: è stato insignito del titolo di cavaliere (he was awarded the title of knight). It is an -ire verb conjugated like finire (with -isc- in the present singular/3rd plural: insignisce). It is rarely used outside ceremonial or journalistic language.

Examples

"Il presidente fu insignito di una medaglia d'oro."

Natural Translation

The president was honored with a gold medal.

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