milanese

Milanese is a term used in English to denote something that originates from or relates to Milan, a city in Lombardy, northern Italy. As a demonym, a resident of Milan is called a Milanese; the plural is Milanesi. In Italian, the adjective and demonym are milanese (lowercase in Italian) and Milanesi in the plural.

The term appears in a variety of contexts. In cuisine, milanese is used in several traditional Milanese dishes prepared in the Milanese style, notably cotoletta alla milanese, a breaded veal cutlet, and risotto alla milanese, a saffron-infused risotto associated with Milan’s culinary heritage. The phrase alla milanese indicates a Milanese method or flavor.

In fashion and textiles, Milanese can refer to a type of fine metal mesh known as a Milanese mesh or Milanese bracelet, used in jewelry and watches for its flexible, lattice-like appearance. The term is also encountered in fashion discourse to describe styles associated with Milan’s prominent design industry.

Linguistically, Milanese can refer to the Milanese dialect of the Lombard language or to linguistic and cultural features associated with the city. The term is used in cultural and historical discussions about Milan and its influence on Italian culture and identity.