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.]

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  † 1.  = FRESCO; painted on a plaster surface while still fresh or moist. Obs.

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1764.  Harmer, Observ., vii. § 40. 304. It is superior to the alfresco, and the Mosaic work.

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  2.  In the open air; also attrib. open-air-.

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1753.  Mrs. Heywood, J. & J. Jessamy, I. v. 53. It was good for her ladyship’s health to be thus alfresco.

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1761.  Smollett, Gil Blas, IV. i. 113. To ventilate my passion here al fresco.

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1881.  Daily Tel., 23 Feb. The pillared archway of Clement’s Inn … a once favourite ‘al fresco’ emporium of hot eel soup.

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  3.  Used as vb. with obj. it.

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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.

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