paletto

stake

noun pah-LET-toh Rare

Origin: Diminutive of palo (pole), from Latin 'palus'.

Also means

bolt (door)

Usage Note

Paletto can mean a small wooden or metal stake driven into the ground, or a door/window bolt (the sliding bar that secures a shutter). Context distinguishes the two senses. In figurative use, mettere dei paletti means 'to set limits / lay down ground rules'.

Examples

"Infigge un paletto nel terreno per la tenda."

Natural Translation

He drives a stake into the ground for the tent.

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