retto

Retto is a term most commonly encountered in Italian, where it serves as the masculine form of an adjective describing straightness or moral integrity. The feminine form is retta. The word derives from the Latin rectus, meaning straight, right, or proper. In Italian usage, rett o can describe physical alignment, as in objects or lines that are straight, as well as moral or ethical behavior, such as someone described as retto, meaning principled or upright.

In addition to its linguistic use, rett o is also found as a surname in Italy and among people of Italian descent. As a family name, it may appear in historical records, genealogies, or contemporary contexts without implying any specific occupation or region by itself. Like many Italian surnames, its meaning in modern usage is often historical or conventional rather than descriptive of current circumstances.

Outside of Italian, rett o may appear in names or transliterations as a proper noun, or be encountered in contexts where it is confounded with similar terms such as recto or retta. If you are seeking information about a particular person, place, or work named Retto, providing additional details will help identify the intended subject. See also rectus, retta, or related linguistic terms for further context on the roots and uses of the word in Romance languages.