versipelle

Italian

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Classical Latin versipellis (“shape-shifting; sly, cunning”, adjective, literally “skin-turning”; “werewolf”, noun)

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ver.siˈpɛl.le/
  • Rhymes: -ɛlle
  • Hyphenation: ver‧si‧pèl‧le

Adjective

versipelle (invariable) (obsolete, literary)

  1. shape-shifting
  2. (figurative) cunningly or slyly deceiving
  3. (of a statement) false, deceiving
  4. turncoating

Noun

versipelle m (invariable) (obsolete, literary)

  1. a sly dissembler or pretender; a cunning, immoral man
  2. one who turns his coat
  3. werewolf, lycanthrope

References
  • versipelle in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana

Latin

Adjective

versipelle

  1. nominative/accusative/vocative neuter singular of versipellis
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