spinta

push, shove

noun SPEEN-tah Less Common

Also means

boost, drive

Usage Note

Spinta is the noun from spingere (to push). It covers a literal shove (dare una spinta = to give a push) and figurative momentum or nepotistic pull (ha avuto una spinta = he got a leg-up/pull). The plural is regular: spinte. In physics it also means thrust or buoyancy.

Examples

"Ha dato una spinta alla porta."

Natural Translation

She gave the door a push.

Literal Translation

She gave a push to-the door.

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