stimarlo

Stimarlo is an Italian verb phrase formed by the verb stimare with the direct object pronoun lo attached. It means to esteem, value, or respect him or it. In standard usage, stimarlo appears when the pronoun refers to a masculine singular antecedent and the infinitive form is part of a larger clause, for example after another verb: Voglio stimarlo (I want to esteem him), Devo stimarlo (I must esteem him).

Grammatical notes: The pronoun lo is a clitic and is attached to the infinitive form stimare, yielding stimarlo. The stem of stimare is stim-, and the infinitive with the pronoun retains the -arlo ending. Stimarlo can also function as a nonfinite subject or object in a sentence: Stimarlo è importante (Esteeming him is important). The phrase is distinct from stimolare, which means to stimulate in the sense of encouraging or activating, and its infinitive with pronoun is stimolarlo, not stimarlo.

Usage and nuance: Stimare conveys evaluation, affection, or respect. It appears in formal prose and everyday speech, often in contexts of personal judgment, professional regard, or moral estimation. It is different in tone from verbs meaning to physically stimulate or motivate someone, where stimolare or stimolarlo would be used.

Etymology: Stimare derives from Latin stīmare, meaning to value or esteem, and through Italian developed senses of appraisal and respect. See also stimolo and stimolazione for related but distinct concepts of encouragement or stimulation.