cappella

Etymology

From Medieval Latin, from Late Latin cappella, from the diminutive of cappa.

Noun

cappella f (plural cappelle)

1. A chapel (in all senses)
2. A choir and accompanying musicians assigned to a church
3. A cap (of a mushroom)
4. (slang, the apex of the penis) A head, a glans

Etymology

cappa (“cape; coat”) +‎ -ellus (diminutive suffix). Originally referred to a little cloak or cape. The sense of "chapel" derives from the story of St. Martin of Tours, in which he tore his military cloak in half, giving it to a beggar while stationed in Gaul, and dreamed of Christ wearing it afterward. This venerated relic was later preserved in sanctuaries by the Franks, which were given the name cappella.

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /kapˈpel.la/, [kapˈpɛl.la]

Noun

cappella f (genitive cappellae); first declension

1. (Late Latin, Vulgar Latin, Medieval Latin) chapel
2. (Late Latin, Vulgar Latin, Medieval Latin) choir