dimensioni ciclopiche

[MatrixMNP]

Si può tradurre alla lettera "dimensioni ciclopiche" ('Cyclopean dimensions'), o è necessario tradurlo con 'huge dimensions' e simili?

 

[mosquitoinasequindress]

cyclopic dimensions, possibly ?

 

[MatrixMNP]

Sì, mi suona già meglio, ma non so se esiste... Any native? O chiunque che lo sappia per certo? =)

 

[byrne]

Rather than cyclopic we tend to use herculean when refering to something of great size or strength...

so prerhaps (but it depends on what you are describing),herculean proportions might fit.

 

[MatrixMNP]

I'm referring to stone blocks. Does it still sound good to you? Stone blocks of herculean proportions (dimensions)?

 

[Teerex51]

Check this out (Cyclopean masonry). This might be what you're looking for.

 

[jendolyn]

Doesn't herculean pertain to (great) effort?

 

[byrne]

Doesn't herculean pertain to (great) effort?

No, it can aslo mean very very big, strong, powerful etc see Wiki's definition here

@matrix, good question I'd tend to use it with animate rather than inanimate objects and abstract nouns but I'm not sure why. Funnily enough though while surfing for some clarification I came across a site which was describing a "cyclopean monument to Hercules"!
I try and clear my thoughts and get back to you

 

[MatrixMNP]

Hahaha, 'cyclopean monument to Hercules'...like they are kidding you, byrne!

Thank you all, people! You are

 

[GavinW]

Check this out (Cyclopean masonry). This might be what you're looking for.

This post (see above) contained the answer to the question.

 

[MatrixMNP]

GavinW, I don't think so, in this case, I think it was used to say "huge" (dimensions).

 

[MStraf]

In AE, a common adjective in this case is "humongous"

 

[GavinW]

GavinW, I don't think so, in this case, I think it was used to say "huge" (dimensions).

Fair enough, your call, but if you use this adjective in connection with stone blocks, there are 2 possibilities:
1) it is a literal, technical reference, and, pace the Wiki page, this former archeologist, for one, can confirm that it's a common adjective used to describe other ancient building techniques, including Etruscan and Andean masonry, not just ancient Greek; or:
2) it's a figurative, non-technical reference just meaning "huge" (as you and others believe).

Only you can know, because you have the (full) context, and you haven't shared it with us yet! ;-)

 

[MatrixMNP]

In this case, GavinW, it is just meaning huge! Thanks for your efforts

 

[GIUDY]

perche non scrivere colossal stone blocks?
or giant stone blocks?
English speech sounds more native if simplified. don't write of ....dimensions, proportions... moreover it is technical language.