risorgimento

noun

ri·sor·gi·men·to (ˌ)rē-ˌzȯr-ji-ˈmen-(ˌ)tō

-ˌsȯr-

plural risorgimentos

often capitalized : the 19th century movement for Italian political unity

: a time of renewal or renaissance : revival

Did you know?

During the period of the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars (1796-1815), the French dominated Italy and introduced many new reforms to the Italian states. After the wars, the states were restored to their former rulers, the Austrians, and took on a conservative character. In response, a number of secret societies arose as part of an ideological and literary movement in support of a united Italy free of foreign domination. This movement was given the name Risorgimento, which literally translates from Italian as "rising again." Although most modern use of the term still refers to this movement, the word also has broader application in English, referring to revivals or renewals of any sort. This second sense is occasionally capitalized in a nod to the earlier use.

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, rising again, from risorgere to rise again, from Latin resurgere — more at resurrection

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of risorgimento was in 1883

See more words from the same year

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Risorgimento.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/risorgimento. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

paroxysm

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!