Italianating

Part of speech: verb, adjective

Definitions

1. Imitating the characteristics of Italian art, architecture, or culture ; adopting styles, manners, or features associated with Italy ; giving something an Italian quality or appearance
2. Making something resemble Italian design or spirit ; incorporating elements typical of Italy into various forms ; transforming objects or behaviors to evoke an Italian ambiance
3. Rendering an aspect more similar to Italian traditions or aesthetics ; infusing Italian influence into things or customs ; applying Italian stylistic touches to non-Italian subjects

Etymology: Italianate is built from "Italian" plus the suffix "-ate," which English uses to form adjectives and verbs meaning "having the quality of" or "to make into." Its verb form, "italianate," means to make something Italian in character or style, and "italianating" is the ongoing form of that action. The word therefore needs no special backstory: it simply attaches a familiar English suffix to a national name. The suffix itself has a long pedigree. It descends from Latin "-atus," which English took over in countless words such as "passionate" and "accurate." Adding it to a country or people's name produces a term for something done in that manner or style, so "italianate" describes architecture, art, or manners shaped by Italian models.