cadute

Cadute is an Italian term that can function as both a noun and an adjective. It is the feminine plural form of the noun caduta and the feminine plural past participle of the verb cadere. As a noun, cadute refers to falls or things that have fallen and can denote events—such as accidents—or declines, including meteorological or economic drops (for example, cadute di temperatura, cadute di prezzo). As an adjective, cadute agrees with feminine plural nouns to describe objects or states that have fallen or collapsed, such as pietre cadute (fallen rocks) or pagine cadute (fallen pages). The word derives from Latin cadere, meaning to fall.

In use, cadute tends to appear in formal, descriptive, or technical contexts. In everyday speech, speakers may prefer more specific terms like caduta for a single fall or calo/declino for declines. The feminine plural forms cadute, caduta, caduto, and caduti cover a range of grammatical functions: for example, "le cadute sono state numerose" (the falls were numerous); "pietre cadute" (fallen rocks). The past participle agrees with the subject in gender and number, so masculine plural would be "caduti" and feminine plural "cadute."

Notes: While cadute can function as a noun, it is often superseded by more precise expressions depending on context. Its use is common in written Italian and in descriptive passages, whereas everyday language may opt for simpler or more specific terms. Related forms include cadere (to fall) and caduta (the fall).