ridosso

shelter

noun ree-DOS-soh Rare

Origin: From Italian ridosso, from ri- + dosso (back, ridge) — the sheltered side.

Also means

lee (nautical)

Usage Note

Ridosso is mostly encountered in the fixed prepositional phrase a ridosso di — meaning 'sheltered behind', 'right up against', or 'in the wake of' something. Sailors use it for the leeward side of land. In modern usage it appears in phrases like a ridosso delle elezioni (just before the elections) or a ridosso delle montagne (right against the mountains).

Examples

"Il paese sorge a ridosso delle colline."

Natural Translation

The village stands sheltered by the hills.

Literal Translation

The village rises in-the-shelter of-the hills.

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