in petto

adverb or adjective

in pet·​to in-ˈpe-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce in petto (audio)
1
: in private : secretly
2
: in miniature

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, in the breast

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of in petto was in 1647

Dictionary Entries Near in petto

in personam

in petto

inphase component

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“In petto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20petto. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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