Spanish Root Words
duenna
elderly woman chaperon of a young lady; governess
El Dorado
fabulously rich land that 16th century explorers dreamt of; place of fabulous abundance, wealth, or opportunity
guerilla
fighter in an irregular military unit engaging in sabotage or harassment
mesa
flat topped rocky hill with steep sides
armada
fleet of warships
comradery
friendship, rapport, and good will, as among fellow soldiers
cargo
goods transported by a ship or plane
bodega
grocery store; wineshop
castanets
hand instruments clicked together to accompany music or dancing
vaquero
headsman; cowboy; buckaroo
olla podrida
highly seasoned meat and vegetable stew
bravado
pretense of bravery
embargo
prohibition
siesta
rest or nap, usually after midday
picador
rider on horseback in a bull fight who lances the bull to weaken its neck and shoulder muscles
fiesta
saint's day celebrated with processions and dances; festival; holiday
cafeteria
self-service or counter service restaurant; offering that invites consumers to make varied choices
peccadillo
slight offense; small fault
burro
small donkey used as a pack animal
squad
small military unit; team; small group formed for a joint effect
stampede
sudden wild headlong rush (as of cattle or people)
dulcina
sweetheart; inamorata
pimento
thick-fleshed pepper used for stuffing olives and as a source of paprika
taco
tortilla folded around a filling such as meat cheese or lettuce
renegade
traitor; turncoat; deserter; defector; apostate
senorita
unmarried Spanish or Spanish speaking woman; young lady; girl; Miss
pampa
vast, treeless, grassy plain, especially in Argentina; prarie
bronco
wild or half-wild horse
grandee
1. nobleman of the highest rank 2. person of emminence
peon
1. unskilled worker; landless laborer 2. worker kept in servitude to repay a debt
arroyo
1. water-carved, often dry, gully 2. brook; creek
mantilla
1. woman's light scarf worn over the head and shoulders 2. short cloak or cape
serviche
appetizer of raw fish marinated in lime or lemon juice
indigo
blue dye
desperado
bold, dangerous criminal
sombrero
broad-rimmed high crowned hat of felt or straw
mustang
bronco (wild or half wild horse)
toreador
bullfighter
matador
bullfighter assigned to kill the bull
cabana
cabin-like shelter at a beach or pool
conquistador
conqueror
escapade
daring or unconventional act; adventurer, caper; prank
canyon
deep narrow valley with steep walls, often with water flowing through it
incommunicado
deprived of communication with others, as in prisoners
aficionado
devoted follower of some sport or art;fan;devotee
tortilla
disk of unleavened corn or wheat bread
temblor
earthquake
Latino
Latin American
gaucho
South American Cowboy
senor
Spanish or Spanish speaking man; Gentleman; Mr.; Sir
barrio
Spanish speaking neighborhood
picaro
adventurer; rogue; vagabond; wanderer
key
island or reef; often of coral
calaboose
jail, especially a local one
embarcadero
landing place; wharf; quay
galleon
large ship used in war and trade
macho
man exhibiting machismo (strong sense of masculinity stressing assertiveness, aggressiveness, physical might, domineering behaviour, etc.
senora
married Spanish or Spanish speaking woman; lady; Mrs.; Madam
hidalgo
member of the minor nobility (below the grandee)
caudillo
military dictator in Spanish-speaking countries
olio
mixture; hodgepodge; medley
sierra
mountain range having an irregular or serrated outline
stevedore
one who loads or unloads ships
patio
paved outdoor dining or lounging area adjacent to a house; inner courtyard open to the sky
mestizo
person of mixed American Indian and European ancestry
pueblo
1. Native American village of the southwestern US 2. communal dwelling in such a village
bolero
1. Spanish dance with sharp turns, stamping and sudden pauses with one arm arched over the head; music 3/4 time for this dance 2. loose waist length jacket worn open at the front
poncho
1. blanket-like cloak with a slit in the middle for the head 2. waterproofed and hooded raincoat of similar shape
adobe
1. brick of sun-dried clay and straw 2. structure made of such bricks
junta
1. council for legislation or administration 2. group of military officers controlling a government after a coup d'etat
caballero
1. gentleman;gallant;cavalier 2. horseman
junto
1. group of persons joined for a common purpose;clique;group of plotters;faction;cabal
bonanza
1. large and rich mine 2. source yielding an often unexpectedly rich return
hacienda
1. large plantation or ranch 2. main house on such an estate
Chicano
American of Mexican descent
flotilla
small fleet; fleet of small vessels
picaresque
to be adventurous, rogue like, or prone to wandering
manana
tomorrow; the indefinite future
