Custodita

Custodita is the feminine singular past participle of custodire in Italian, used as an adjective that means kept, safeguarded, or protected. It agrees with feminine nouns, as in una chiave custodita or una statuetta custodita. The masculine form is custodito. The word also appears in phrases that describe states of protection or preservation, such as in custodia or in custodia di un oggetto.

Etymology and origin: custodita derives from the Latin custoditus, the past participle of custōdire “to guard,” related to custōdia, from which Italian custodia also originates. The term has developed within standard Italian to express the condition of being kept under protection or surveillance.

Usage and contexts: In everyday language, custodita describes objects, documents, or places that are kept in a secure or preserved state. Examples include una reliquia custodita nel museo (a relic kept in the museum) or documenti custodi­ta nel caveau (documents safeguarded in the vault). In legal or administrative contexts, the noun custodia is more common, with phrases like in custodia or custodia cautelare referring to custody or guardianship, including the protection of a person or property. In archives, libraries, and museums, items may be described as custodita when they are preserved or protected.

Linguistic notes: Custodita functions mainly as an adjective but can appear in passive constructions: la chiave è custodita. It emphasizes the state of protection or preservation rather than the act of guarding. Related terms include custode (guardian), custodia (custody), custodire (to guard/to keep), and custodito (the masculine past participle).