volpone
cunning fox, sly person
noun vohl-POH-neh Rare
Origin: Augmentative of volpe (fox), from Latin vulpes.
Usage Note
Volpone literally means 'big fox' (augmentative of volpe) but is almost always used figuratively for a shrewd, cunning person — closer to 'old fox' or 'sly dog' in English. In Italian it carries a mix of admiration and wariness.
Examples
"Quell'avvocato è un vecchio volpone."
Natural Translation
That lawyer is an old fox.
Related Words
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