lavorata

Lavorata is the feminine singular past participle of the Italian verb lavorare and is used primarily as an adjective to indicate that something has been worked, processed, or crafted. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies, as in pietra lavorata, legno lavorato, or tessuto lavorato. The basic sense is that the object has undergone some form of manipulation, transformation, or finishing by hand or by machine. The related noun is lavorazione, which denotes the process of making or manufacturing and can refer to technique, craftsmanship, or production.

Usage and contexts

In art, architecture and construction, lavorata describes materials that have been shaped or finished, such as pietra lavorata (worked stone) or legno lavorato (worked wood). In metalwork, metallo lavorato refers to metal that has been cut, formed, or embellished. In crafts and fashion, tessuto lavorato, maglia lavorata or pizzo lavorato indicate fabrics, knitting, or lace featuring patterns or textures produced by stitching or weaving. In agriculture, terra lavorata refers to soil that has been tilled and prepared for planting.

Nuances and phrasing

Lavorata is commonly paired with phrases that specify the technique or level of craftsmanship, for example, pietra lavorata a mano (hand-worked stone) or pannello lavorato a macchina (machine-worked panel). While widely used in descriptive and technical writing, it is less common as a stand-alone noun; rather, it forms part of compound expressions describing materials, surfaces, or finished products.

See also: lavorazione, lavorare, lavorato.