adj. & n.
adj. 1 a Printing of the sloping kind of letters now used esp. for emphasis or distinction and in foreign words. b (of handwriting) compact and pointed like early Italian handwriting. 2 (Italic) of ancient Italy.
n. 1 a letter in italic type. 2 this type.
[ L italicus f. Gk italikos Italian (because introduced by Aldo Manuzio of Venice) ]