sassate

Sassata is an Italian noun (plural sassate) that refers to a blow delivered with a stone or to an act of throwing stones at someone. The term derives from sasso, stone, with the suffix -ata indicating a concrete action or result. In everyday language, sassata describes both the physical impact of a thrown stone and the event in which stones are thrown, such as during street clashes or protests.

Usage and context: Examples include phrases like una sassata colpisce al volto (a rock hits the face) or durante la rissa sono state lanciate sassate contro i carabinieri (stones were thrown at the police during the brawl). The plural sassate is commonly heard in news reporting about mob violence, protests, or hooligan incidents, where stones are used as weapons. In some cases, sassata can be used figuratively to denote a sudden, sharp setback, though this usage is less common.

Legal and safety aspects: Throwing stones is illegal in most jurisdictions and can constitute assault, criminal damage, or public danger, depending on the circumstances and the harm caused. Penalties vary by country and case but typically depend on the injury inflicted and the offender’s intent.

Regional notes: The term is widely understood across standard Italian. Regional dialects may have different expressions for stone-throwing, but sassata remains a common and internationally recognizable form in Italian.

See also: stone-throwing, hooliganism, assault.