Here's a word to know that has a mundane literal meaning, but it also has a figurative meaning that's good to know about. Let's get into it. 

The adjective digiuno derives from the Latin "ieiūnus," which means "on an empty stomach" (abstaining from eating), "sterile," or "arid." The noun il digiuno comes from the verb digiunare (to abstain from eating, starving). Although digiuno can be used as an adjective, it's more often used as a noun as we will see below.

Fare un digiuno is to fast, to carry out or to go on a fast. 

Noi musulmani facciamo digiuno dall'alba al tramonto.

We Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.

Caption 63, La Ladra EP. 6 - Nero di rabbia - Part 4

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E non parlarmi di diete e digiuno. Voglio tante curve come in Formula Uno

And don't talk to me about diets and fasting. I want as many curves as in Formula One

Captions 19-20, Radici nel Cemento Bella Ciccia

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Quello è il dottor Rapisarda, che ha detto che dovevi osservare un digiuno assoluto.

That is Doctor Rapisarda who said you had to observe a total fast.

Captions 49-50, La linea verticale EP 5 - Part 6

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But essere a digiuno is slightly different. It can be used literally, for example, when you are about to have an exam or operation at the hospital, and you may have to have an empty stomach: essere a digiuno (to have an empty stomach).

And it can imply hunger. In this case, we are talking about the wild animals in the Colosseum, back in Roman times.

Che cos'erano... il condannato, pensa qui, veniva sbranato da belve inferocite, lasciate a digiuno per l'occasione.

What were they? The condemned person, just think, was torn to pieces by enraged wild beasts, left unfed for the occasion.

Captions 12-13, Marika e Daniela Colosseo, interno - Part 2

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In the clip below, Eva, the owner of the restaurant, has had some shocking news and wants a glass of wine. But she hasn't eaten yet. Wine bottles always provide the percentage of alcohol, which normally ranges from 11 to 14%. 

È un corruttore di gioventù. Oddio. Eva, guarda che a digiuno dodici gradi e mezzo non sono pochi, eh.

He corrupts young people. Oh my God. Eva, look, on an empty stomach, a twelve point five percentage is not nothing, huh.

Captions 34-36, La Ladra EP. 2 - Viva le spose - Part 6

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But a digiuno is also used figuratively to say you don't know anything about something, you're uninitiated, completely new to something, or clueless.  

E poi quando ho iniziato questo lavoro io ero completamente a digiuno su aspetti, diciamo così, di protocollo.

And then when I started this job I was completely clueless about aspects, let's say, of protocol.

Captions 1-3, Ritratti Fabiola Gianotti - Part 18

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Thanks for reading. Write to us with questions and comments to [email protected].

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