ben trovato

[ ben truh-vah-toh; Italian ben traw-vah-taw ]

adjective

1. appropriate and characteristic even if untrue; happily invented or discovered.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ben trovato¹

First recorded in 1770–75; from Italian: literally, “well found,” in full, Se non è vero, è molto ben trovato “If it isn’t true, it is very well found, happily invented,” a saying especially associated with Giordano Bruno, 16th-century Italian philosopher

Example Sentences

Mem. from Matabeleland.—Most of the news from the Cape, if not true, is certainly Lo Ben trovato.

From Project Gutenberg

"Ben trovato!" exclaimed P——; "you could not have described them better—but...."

From Project Gutenberg

Although the story involves an absurd anachronism, it is ben trovato in so far as it records the impression which the graver sort of Christian poetry was likely to make on heathen minds.

From Project Gutenberg

The story as related by the English friar is very characteristic of the age, and, si non e vero e ben trovato.

From Project Gutenberg

Amongst these I will mention the following, concerning which it may be said, Se non � vero, � ben trovato: A story is told of a lady admirer of his who once paid him a visit.

From Project Gutenberg