It. pl. -ini. [It.; f. contado a county, the country:—L. comitātus: see COUNTY.] An Italian peasant or countryman.
1630. R. Johnson’s Kingd. & Commw., 93. In Spaine it is farre worse [than in Italy]; the Contadini are … esteemed almost as the Asses, that bring their Cabbages … to the Markets.
1656. J. Harrington, Oceana, 110 (Jod.). For put the case you be travelling in Italy, ask your contadino, that is, the next country fellow you meet, some question.
1820. Shelley, To Maria Gisborne, 286. Afar the Contadino’s song is heard.
