Accoglievano

Accoglievano is the imperfect indicative form of the Italian verb accogliere, meaning to welcome, receive, or host. The form is third-person plural and does not require an explicit subject in a sentence, as the verb ending indicates the subject is they or a plural noun.

The imperfect tense expresses past actions that were ongoing, repeated, or used to occur. Therefore accoglievano can describe how people or places used to welcome guests, or how hospitality was provided over a period of time, setting a scene in the past rather than reporting a single completed act.

Conjugation notes: The imperfect endings for -ere verbs are -vo, -vi, -va, -vamo, -vate, -vano. The stem of accogliere in the imperfect is accogliev-, which yields accoglievo, accoglievi, accoglieva, accoglievamo, accoglievate, accoglievano.

Examples: "Durante la festa, le case accoglievano visitatori da ogni parte." "Nella locanda accoglievano i pellegrini per la notte." These illustrate how the form conveys hospitality extended in the past or as a habitual action.

Etymology: The verb accogliere derives from Latin accollere (often linked to ad- 'toward' plus colere 'to cultivate' or inhabit). Over time, the meaning broadened to include receiving, hosting, and embracing newcomers or ideas. The imperfect accoglievano reflects a regular past action within that semantic field.