spauracchio

Italian

Etymology

From spaur(are) (“to scare”) +‎ -acchio (instrumental suffix).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /spa.uˈrak.kjo/
• Rhymes: -akkjo
• Hyphenation: spa‧u‧ràc‧chio

Noun

spauracchio m (plural spauracchi)

1. (obsolete) scarecrow

   Synonym: spaventapasseri

2. (by extension) anything eliciting fear or dread
3. (by extension) a scaringly ugly or haggard person

   Synonyms: mostro, orco, castigamatti