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alla prima

noun
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al·​la pri·​ma | \ ˌäləˈprēmə, ˌal- \

Definition of alla prima

: a method of painting in which pigments are laid on in a single application instead of being built up by repeated paintings

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First Known Use of alla prima

1823, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for alla prima

Italian, at once

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The first known use of alla prima was in 1823

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Cite this Entry

“Alla prima.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alla%20prima. Accessed 7 December 2019.

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