assai

¹

[ uh-sahy; Italian ahs-sah-ee ]

adverb

, Music.

1. very:

   allegro assai (very quick).

assai

²

[ uh-sah-ee ]

noun

1. any of several slender Brazilian palms of the genus Euterpe, especially E. edulis, a species bearing a purple fruit from which a beverage is made by infusion.

assai

¹

/ æˈsaɪ /

noun

1. any of several Brazilian palm trees of the genus Euterpe, esp E. edulis, that have small dark purple fleshy edible fruit
2. a beverage made from the fruit of this tree

assai

²

/ æˈsaɪ /

adverb

1. music (usually preceded by a musical direction) very

   allegro assai

Word History and Origins

Origin of assai¹

First recorded in 1715–25; from Italian: literally, “enough,”ultimately from Latin ad “(up) to” + satis “enough.” See asset

Origin of assai²

1895–1900; < Portuguese < Tupi assaí

Word History and Origins

Origin of assai¹

via Brazilian Portuguese from Tupi

Origin of assai²

Italian: enough

Example Sentences

Caterina answered him by quoting the Cyprian proverb, "Assai dimanda che fidelmente serve."

From Project Gutenberg

Certainly, it was painted by my own father, six months after their marriage; she was then as you see, una bella giovanne assai.

From Project Gutenberg

Il tradimento a molti piace assai, Ma il traditore a gnun non piacque mal.

From Project Gutenberg

Maffeo Barberini; ma assai maggiore è la nostra, che il Cav.

From Project Gutenberg

The assai-palm, with its slender stem, its graceful head and delicate green plumes, is at first more numerous than any other.

From Project Gutenberg