Note 264 — Chapter I · [1774-1798.]
Reading edition
This name was afterwards the subject of a punning epigram. Mezzofanti is a compound word, (like the names Mezzaharba, Mezzavacca. Mezzomorto, &c.,) and means half-child, [Mezzo-Fante.] Hence the following distich:—
Dimidium Fantis jam nunc supereminct omnes! Quid, credis, fieret, si integer ipse foret?