quirinal
Definition
- Noun (proper noun):
- The Quirinal: One of the seven hills of Rome, Italy; historically the site of the Quirinal Palace, the official residence of the Italian head of state.
- The Italian government or its executive branch: By metonymy, "Quirinal" refers to the Italian presidency or the seat of the Italian government, as the Quirinal Palace is the official residence of the President of Italy.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The Quirinal is one of the Seven Hills of Rome, known for its ancient and political significance. (The hill itself.)
- The announcement was made by the Quirinal this morning. (The Italian presidential office or government.)
Advanced Usage
- "The Quirinal" (used as a proper noun): Often capitalized and used with the definite article to refer specifically to the hill, the palace, or the Italian presidency.
- The Quirinal Palace houses the offices of the President of Italy. (The physical building on the hill.)
- Diplomatic negotiations were handled directly by the Quirinal. (The executive branch of the Italian government.)
Variants and Related Words
- Quirinal (adj): Relating to the Quirinal Hill or the Quirinal Palace.
- The Quirinal Palace is a major landmark in Rome. (Adjectival use, though rare; the noun form is more common.)
Synonyms
- Roman hill: (for the geographical feature) (another of the Seven Hills, but not a direct synonym).
- Italian presidency: (for the government sense) (the seat of the Italian prime minister, a different branch of government, but related).
Related Idioms
- The Quirinal and the Vatican: A phrase used to contrast the Italian state (Quirinal) with the Holy See (Vatican).
- The Quirinal and the Vatican often coordinate on matters of public interest. (The Italian government and the Catholic Church.)
Notes
- The word "quirinal" is almost always capitalized as a proper noun in English, as it refers to a specific place or institution. It is not used as a common noun.