belvedere
UK /ˈbɛl.vɪˌdɪə/ · US /ˈbɛl.vəˌdɪɚ/ noun, proper noun, verb
Forms belvederes Belvedering Belvedered
- noun (architecture) A turret or other raised structure offering a pleasant view of the surrounding area.
- noun Summer cypress (Bassia scoparia)
- proper noun A suburban area in the borough of Bexley, Greater London, England, historically in Kent (OS grid ref TQ4978).
- proper noun A western suburb of Bathgate, West Lothian council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NS9669).
- proper noun A small city in Marin County, California.
- proper noun An unincorporated community in New Castle County, Delaware.
- proper noun A populated place in Jefferson County, Ohio.
- proper noun A census-designated place in Aiken County, South Carolina.
- proper noun A settlement on Saint Croix, United States Virgin Islands.
- proper noun A locality in Alberta.
- verb (humorous, slang) To sit painfully on one's testicles.
Synonyms
summer cypress burning bush fire bush fire-bush Bassia scoparia Kochia scoparia
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian belvedere (literally “fair view”).
From Italian bel vedere (“beautiful view”).
A reference to an urban legend about the 1980s sitcom Mr. Belvedere, in which filming was allegedly delayed after the actor playing Mr. Belvedere injured himself by sitting on his testicles.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A small building, or a part of a building, more or less open, constructed in a place commanding a fine prospect.
Etymology [It., fr. bello, bel, beautiful + vedere to see.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “belvedere”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details