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graffitist

 - 3 dictionary results

graf⋅fi⋅ti

  [gruh-fee-tee]
Use graffitist in a Sentence
–noun
1. pl. of graffito.
2. (used with a plural verb) markings, as initials, slogans, or drawings, written, spray-painted, or sketched on a sidewalk, wall of a building or public restroom, or the like: These graffiti are evidence of the neighborhood's decline.
3. (used with a singular verb) such markings as a whole or as constituting a particular group: Not much graffiti appears around here these days.
Origin:
1850–55; < It, pl. of graffito incised inscription or design, deriv. with -ito -ite 2 of graffiare to scratch, perh. influenced by presumed L *graphīre to write; both prob. deriv. of L graphium stylus < Gk grapheîon; cf. graphic, grapho-, graft 1

Related forms:
graf⋅fi⋅tist, noun

Usage note:
In formal speech and writing graffiti takes a plural verb. In less formal contexts it is sometimes considered a mass noun and is used with a singular verb. The singular graffito is found mostly in archaeological and other technical writing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To graffitist
graf·fi·tist   (grə-fē'tĭst)   
n.  One who produces graffiti.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

graffiti 
1851, for ancient wall inscriptions found in the ruins of Pompeii, from It. graffiti, pl. of graffito "a scribbling," a dim. formation from graffio "a scratch or scribble," from graffiare "to scribble." Sense extended 1877 to recently made crude drawings and scribbling.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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