cinquecento

noun

cin·​que·​cen·​to ˌchiŋ-kwi-ˈchen-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce cinquecento (audio)
: the 16th century especially in Italian art and literature

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web I am immersed in quattro- and cinquecento painting — more than ever! Randy Kennedy, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cinquecento.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, five hundred, from cinque five (from Latin quinque) + cento hundred, from Latin centum — more at hundred

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cinquecento was in 1760

Dictionary Entries Near cinquecento

Cite this Entry

“Cinquecento.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinquecento. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

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