adv. [It. phr. al fresco on the fresh, in the fresh or cool air; to paint al fresco on the fresh plaster, to dine al fresco in the open air.]
† 1. = FRESCO; painted on a plaster surface while still fresh or moist. Obs.
1764. Harmer, Observ., vii. § 40. 304. It is superior to the alfresco, and the Mosaic work.
2. In the open air; also attrib. open-air-.
1753. Mrs. Heywood, J. & J. Jessamy, I. v. 53. It was good for her ladyship’s health to be thus alfresco.
1761. Smollett, Gil Blas, IV. i. 113. To ventilate my passion here al fresco.
1881. Daily Tel., 23 Feb. The pillared archway of Clement’s Inn … a once favourite ‘al fresco’ emporium of hot eel soup.
3. Used as vb. with obj. it.
1822. Lamb, Lett., 17 June, in C. & Mary Cowden Clarke, Recoll. Writers (1878), 215. The ladies think it judicious to conceal their absolute ribs; but a man (whether gentleman or not I cannot say) makes nothing of putting on his shirt, as he returns; or even of alfrescoing it without one, as he goes.
