Tuscan noun & adjective. ['tʌskǝn] LME.
[Old French (mod. toscan), Italian toscano from Latin Tuscanus, from Tusci pl. of Tuscus = Etruscus ETRUSCAN: see -AN.]
A. noun.
1. a. = ETRUSCAN noun 1. LME.
b. A native or inhabitant of medieval or modern Tuscany, a region of western Italy. L16.

2. The language of Tuscany, regarded as the classical form of Italian. M16.

3. The golden-yellow colour of Tuscan straw. L19.

4. Printing. A letterform with bifurcated or trifurcated serifs, used esp. in the early 19th cent. Now Hist. L19.
b. adjective.
1. = ETRUSCAN adjective 1. E16.

2. Of or pertaining to medieval or modern Tuscany. E16.

3. Architecture. Of or designating the simplest of the five classical orders, resembling the Doric but devoid of all ornament. M16.

4. Designating (a method of plaiting) the fine wheat straw grown in Tuscany for hats etc. Also, of the golden-yellow colour of this straw. M19.

■ Tuscanism noun Tuscan style or character; a Tuscan idiom or phrase: L16.

■ Tuscanize verb (a) verb intrans. become Tuscan; adopt Tuscan habits, use Tuscan Italian; (b) verb trans. make Tuscan: E17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲