pollice verso

Italian

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin pollice versō.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɔl.li.t͡ʃe ˈvɛr.so/
• Hyphenation: pòl‧li‧ce‧vèr‧so

Noun

pollice verso

1. Only used in fare il pollice verso (“to give the thumbs down”)

Usage notes

• The Italian pollice capovolto is the modern, non-fossil-word translation of "thumbs down".

Anagrams

• verso pollice

Latin

Etymology

Literally, "with thumb turned".

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈpol.li.ke ˈu̯er.soː/, [ˈpɔlːʲɪkɛ ˈu̯ɛrs̠oː]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈpol.li.t͡ʃe ˈver.so/, [ˈpɔlːit͡ʃe ˈvɛrso]

Phrase

pollice versō m

1. with the thumb turned (how spectators indicated favor or displeasure at gladiatorial games).

Usage notes

Despite depictions common in movies, it is not clear whether the thumbs up or thumbs down indicated displeasure.

See also

• Misconceptions about gladiators

References

• “pollice verso”, in Harry Thurston Peck, editor (1898), Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, New York: Harper & Brothers