cicerone

noun

ci·​ce·​ro·​ne ˌsi-sə-ˈrō-nē How to pronounce cicerone (audio) ˌchē-chə- How to pronounce cicerone (audio)
1
: a guide who conducts sightseers
2

Did you know?

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 - 43 B.C.) was renowned in Rome as a statesman, lawyer, and writer, and he is remembered today for his skills as an orator and rhetorician. The Ciceronian style of rhetoric placed special emphasis on the rhythms and cadences of phrases and sentences and their ability to appeal to the speaker's audience. It is believed that Cicero's eloquence and learning influenced the use of his Italian name, Cicerone, to refer to sightseeing guides, themselves known for their talkativeness and eloquence, and later, to persons who serve as mentors or tutors to others.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Monosoff is also a certified cicerone — which means she’s trained to taste, evaluate and serve beer — and a master sommelier, the highest distinction for a wine expert. Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, 17 Sep. 2020 Michael Agnew is a certified cicerone (beer-world version of sommelier) and owner of A Perfect Pint. Michael Agnew, Star Tribune, 2 June 2021 The award provides support up to $2,500 for educational pursuits such as cicerone certifications, beer-science programs, training and other hospitality certifications. Marc Bona, cleveland, 1 Jan. 2022 Mikey Riojas, who has sommelier and cicerone certifications, is the store’s beverage department director and manager of the wine and coffee bar. Cristin Espinosa, Dallas News, 15 June 2021 The scholarship will help pay for beer-science programs as well as cicerone and other certifications. Marc Bona, cleveland, 7 Oct. 2020 As Voltaire/Pangloss, Kevin Burdette made a brilliantly cynical cicerone through this farrago. Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 6 Aug. 2018 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cicerone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Cicerone Cicero

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cicerone was in 1726

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Dictionary Entries Near cicerone

Cite this Entry

“Cicerone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cicerone. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

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