Stradivarius

Meaning

Noun

• A stringed instrument built by members of the Stradivari family, particularly Antonio Stradivari.
• A violin made by another manufacturer, named to capitalise on the fame of the instruments made by Antonio Stradivari.
• A name invoked as a standard of excellence in unrelated fields.

Origin

• (Latin Stradivarius), an Italian surname either from the plural of Lombard stradivare ("toll-man"), or from strada averta in the Cremona dialect.