stesso
/ˈstɛs.so/
adjective
Origin
Latin
ipse ipse — the very same
Overview
Meaning Now
- Identical, same, or very thing.
- Used as an intensifier (e.g., 'himself', 'itself').
Language path
Latin → Italian
Earliest form
stesso
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The Italian 'stesso' derives from a reduplicated Latin construction, often cited as 'ipse ipse' or through a combination involving 'istum ipsum'. It reflects the Romanic tendency to emphasize identity through repetition.
Evolution
- Latin
ipse ipse
“the very same”
Reduplicated form used for emphasis.
- Vulgar Latin
et ipse
“and himself/same”
Hypothesized step through fusion.
- Old Italian
istesso
“the same”
Prosthetic 'i-' added for phonetic ease.
- Modern Italian
stesso
“the same”
Aphaeresis of the initial 'i'.
Connections
Word parts
stess
root
same
o
ending
masculine singular
Related across languages
Occitan
esmeis
the same
Explore next
Related to stesso
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.