zendaletto, n.

zendaletto
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zendaletto_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# zendalettonoun

## Earlier version

- zendalet in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zendaletto mean?

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun zendaletto, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

zendaletto has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

costume (late 1700s) nautical (late 1700s)

### How common is the noun zendaletto?

Fewer than 0.01occurrences per million words in modern written English

1780 | 0.016
1790 | 0.014
1800 | 0.011
1810 | 0.0099
1820 | 0.008
1830 | 0.0016
1840 | 0.0009
1850 | 0.0009
1860 | 0.0003
1870 | 0.0002
1880 | 0.0002
1890 | 0.0002
1900 | 0.0005
1910 | 0.0005
1920 | 0.0005
1930 | 0.0006
1940 | 0.0006
1950 | 0.0005
1960 | 0.0004
1970 | 0.0002
1980 | 0.0002
1990 | 0.0002
2000 | 0.0002
2010 | 0.0002

### How is the noun zendaletto pronounced?

#### British English

/ˌzɛndəˈlɛtəʊ/
zen-duh-LET-oh

#### U.S. English

/ˌzɛndəˈlɛdoʊ/
zen-duh-LED-oh

### Where does the noun zendaletto come from?

Earliest known use

late 1700s

The earliest known use of the noun zendaletto is in the late 1700s.

OED's earliest evidence for zendaletto is from 1789, in the writing of Hester Lynch Piozzi, writer.

zendaletto is a borrowing from Italian.

Etymons: Italian zendaletto.

### Nearby entries

1. zemni, n. 1775–
2. Zemsky Sobor, n. 1877–
3. zemstvo, n. 1865–
4. zemstvoist, n. 1904–
5. Zen, n. & adj. 1727–
6. Zen, v. 1968–
7. zenana, n. & adj. 1761–
8. zenana cloth, n. 1885–
9. Zen Buddhist, adj. & n. 1917–
10. Zend, n. & adj. 1700–
11. zendaletto, n.1789–
12. Zend-Avesta, n. 1630–
13. Zend-Avestaic, adj. 1816
14. Zend-Avestan, adj. & n. 1871–
15. Zend-Avestic, adj. 1864–
16. Zendic, n. & adj. 1771–
17. Zendician, n. a1833–66
18. Zendicism, n. 1697–
19. Zendish, adj. & n. 1802–1921
20. Zendist, n. 1877–1907
21. zendo, n. 1914–

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Italian.
Etymon: Italian zendaletto.
< Italian regional (Venice) zendaletto large square shawl (1755 or earlier as zendaetto) < zendale (also zenda), variant of zendado thin rich silken material (see sendal n.) + ‑etto ‑et suffix1…
< Italian regional (Venice) zendaletto large square shawl (1755 or earlier as zendaetto) < zendale (also zenda), variant of zendado thin rich silken material (see sendal n.) + ‑etto ‑et suffix1.

### Notes

Specific senses
Sense 2 is not attested in Italian. It probably reflects confusion with Italian regional (Venice) sandaletto boat smaller than a gondola (19th cent. or earlier; < sandalo (in Venice) flat-bottomed boat used to transport cargo (14th cent.; < Byzantine Greek σάνδαλις < σάνδαλον sandal n.1 + ‑ις ‑id suffix2, with reference to the shape of the boat) + ‑etto ‑et suffix1). There is no evidence to support the suggestion that the ‘gondola’ sense developed from a specific use of zendaletto to denote a long piece of cloth falling from the back of the hood of a gondola into the water.
Specific forms
The form zendaletta (see zendaletta at β forms) probably reflects uncertainty about the value of unstressed final vowels in Romance loanwords.

## Meaning & use

1. 1.
   1789–
   Chiefly with reference to 18th-cent. Venice: a large shawl or veil of a type typically worn by women to cover the head and shoulders, sometimes being supported on a wire frame or headdress. Now rare (chiefly historical or archaic).
   1. 1789

      > A Venetian lady's mode of appearance in her zendalet, without which nobody stirs out of their house in a morning. It consists of a full black silk petticoat..flounced with gauze... A skeleton wire upon the head,..over it a large piece of black mode or persian, so as to shade the face like a curtain.

      H. L. Piozzi, Observations Journey France vol. I. 184
   2. 1795

      > The Bourgeoise universally wear the zendalet, a piece of black silk, with which they cover their heads; and which, crossing before, is finally tied behind their waists.

      J. Trusler, Habitable World Described vol. XVIII. xxxii. 181
   3. a1816

      > In Zendalet or hat, and dress that cover'd like a pall.

      J. McHenry in Journal Rutgers Univ. Library (1945) June 52
   4. 1821

      > The black veil, worn by the ladies, was called zendal, or zendaletto.

      London Magazine January 14/2
   5. 1910

      > Over their heads they fasten that zendaletto of white lace, which inwreathes the waist, the shoulders, and the smile.

      translation of P. Monnier, Venice in 18th Century iv. 57
   6. 1920

      > It was torn from a zendaletto, such as the women wear on the isle of Zanthe.

      N. Gallizier, Leopard Prince i. xiv. 103
   7. 2006

      > Historical etchings show the voluminous veil known as the nizioleta or zendaleto that women wrapped around their heads and bodies in a figure-of-eight.

      Meanjin vol. 65 ii. 6
   costume archaic historical
   1. zephyr 1774–
      Any of various lightweight or thin articles of clothing or accessories, such as a light shawl, scarf, or coat; (in later use) spec. a light shirt…
   2. zendaletto 1789–
      Chiefly with reference to 18th-cent. Venice: a large shawl or veil of a type typically worn by women to cover the head and shoulders, sometimes…
   3. blanket shawl 1804–
      A large shawl made of wool or similar material.
   4. rebozo 1807–
      A shawl or long scarf covering the head and shoulders, traditionally worn by Mexican women.
   5. cashmere 1822–
      a. More fully cashmere shawl: a costly shawl made of fine soft wool obtained from the Cashmere goat and the wild goat of western China. b. The…
   6. India shawl 1822–
      attributive. Designating any of various products, esp. textiles, made in, associated with, or imported from India, as India calico, India cloth, I…
   7. Paisley shawl 1823–
      A large, highly patterned shawl, of a type produced in large quantities in Paisley in the 19th-cent., typically woven (or sometimes printed) with…
   8. turnover shawl 1825–
      A type of shawl consisting of a square of material with decorative borders attached on the right side along two edges and on the reverse side on…
   9. turnover 1827–
      Originally: = turnover shawl, n. (now chiefly historical). Later more generally (English regional (chiefly south-western) and Welsh English): a…
   10. pashmina 1837–
       A garment, esp. a shawl, made from the fabric pashmina (sense A.2).
   11. merino 1839–
       A garment, esp. a dress or shawl, made of merino (sense B.2a).
   12. Paisley 1849–
       = Paisley shawl n. at sense I.2. Now chiefly historical.
   13. fascinator 1853–
       Originally and chiefly U.S. A woman's shawl or scarf, typically crocheted, knitted, or of lace, worn draped over the head and wrapped around the…
   14. phulkari 1887–
       A cloth, sheet, or shawl embroidered in this style.
   15. manton 1920–
       A type of Spanish shawl.
   16. lappa 1954–
       A woman's shawl or skirt.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 2.
   1794–1824
   † A gondola. Obsolete.
   1. 1794

      > The Count led Emily to his zendaletto.

      A. Radcliffe, Mysteries of Udolpho vol. II. iii. 93
   2. 1814

      > When moonlight cheers the scenes we love,..And zendalettos seem to move Upon a sea of liquid light.

      Gondolier ii. i, in New British Theatre vol. III. 183
   3. 1824

      > I would jump into my own zendaletta, and give a signal for pursuit.

      W. Irving, Tales of Traveller vol. I. 103
   nautical
   1. gondola 1549–
      A light flat-bottomed boat or skiff in use on the Venetian canals, having a cabin amidships and rising to a sharp point at either end; it is usually…
   2. gondolet 1602–
      A small gondola.
   3. zendaletto 1794–1824
      A gondola. Obsolete.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˌzɛndəˈlɛtəʊ/
zen-duh-LET-oh

### U.S. English

/ˌzɛndəˈlɛdoʊ/
zen-duh-LED-oh

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

##### α.

1. 1700s–1800s
   zendalet

##### β.

1. 1700s–1900s
   zendaletto
2. 1800s
   zendaletta
3. 2000s–
   zendaleto

## Frequency

zendaletto typically occurs fewer than 0.01 times per million words in modern written English.

zendaletto is in frequency band 1, which contains words occurring fewer than 0.001 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zendaletto, n., 1780–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1780 | 0.016
1790 | 0.014
1800 | 0.011
1810 | 0.0099
1820 | 0.008
1830 | 0.0016
1840 | 0.0009
1850 | 0.0009
1860 | 0.0003
1870 | 0.0002
1880 | 0.0002
1890 | 0.0002
1900 | 0.0005
1910 | 0.0005
1920 | 0.0005
1930 | 0.0006
1940 | 0.0006
1950 | 0.0005
1960 | 0.0004
1970 | 0.0002
1980 | 0.0002
1990 | 0.0002
2000 | 0.0002
2010 | 0.0002

zendaletto, n. was revised in June 2018.

zendaletto, n. was last modified in September 2024.