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mezzogiorno

midday; noon

noun met-tsoh-JOR-noh Rare
Time Time of Day

Origin: From mezza (half) + giorno (day)

Also means

southern Italy

Usage Note

Mezzogiorno literally means 'half-day' — hence noon — but with a capital M it is the standard Italian term for the southern Italian regions below Rome. A learner must use context to distinguish time (sono le dodici, è mezzogiorno) from geography (il Mezzogiorno d'Italia).

Examples

"Ci vediamo a mezzogiorno in piazza."

Natural Translation

We'll meet at noon in the square.

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