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viola

violet

noun VYOH-lah Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Colors

Origin: From Latin viola (violet flower).

Also means

viola (instrument)

Usage Note

Viola names both the colour violet/purple and the stringed instrument (the viola, larger than a violin). As a colour adjective it is invariable: un vestito viola, scarpe viola — no gender or number agreement, unlike most Italian adjectives. The flower viola (pansy/violet) shares the same form. Context makes the sense clear.

Examples

"Indossava una sciarpa viola molto elegante."

Natural Translation

She was wearing a very elegant violet scarf.

Literal Translation

She-wore a scarf violet very elegant.

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