Lombrello

Lombrello is a term sometimes encountered as an informal or misspelled form of the Italian noun l'ombrello, which means umbrella. In standard Italian, the word refers to a portable device used to shield a person from rain or sun.

The correct form is l'ombrello in the singular, un ombrello in the indefinite case, and ombrelli in the plural. The definite plural is gli ombrelli. The word is masculine and derives from the Italian root ombra, meaning shadow or shade, with the diminutive suffix -ello, indicating a small or personal shade-protector.

Etymology and orthography: ombrello comes from ombra, with the diminutive ending -ello, reflecting its original sense of a small shade-giving object. The leading article l' is used before vowels, yielding l'ombrello. The form lombrello (without the apostrophe) is considered nonstandard in correct Italian, though it may appear in informal writing, branding, or marketing as a stylized name.

Usage context: l'ombrello is a common everyday noun in Italian, appearing in weather forecasts, literature, and media when referring to actual umbrellas. In Italian, apostrophes in articles before vowels are an important orthographic rule, and ombrello follows this pattern.

See also: umbrella (general concept), Umbrella as a cultural symbol, Italian vocabulary for weather-related items.