Life in Mexico, by Frances Calderon de la Barca

Glossary

OF

SPANISH OR MEXICAN WORDS WHICH OCCUR IN THE COURSE OF THE WORK, WHICH ARE GENERALLY EXPLAINED WHEN FIRST USED, BUT WHICH BEING REPEATED, THE READER MIGHT FORGET AND WISH TO REFER TO.

Administrador — Agent.
Alameda — Public walk with trees.
Aquador — Water-carrier.
Alacran — Scorpion.
Anquera — Coating of stamped gilt leather, edged with little bells, which covers the back of the horses.
Arriero — Muleteer.
Arroba — Spanish weight of twenty-five pounds.
Azotea — The flat roof of a house.
Barranca — Ravine.
Botica — Apothecary’s shop.
Calle — Street.
Cargadores — Men who carry loads.
Chinguirito — Spirit made from sugar-cane.
Chile — Hot peppers.
Compadre and Comadre — Godfather and Godmother; names by which two persons address each other, who have held the same child at the baptismal font, or have been sponsors together at a marriage, etc.
Canonigo — Canon or prebendary.
Comicos — Actors.
Camarista — Lady of honour.
día de Anos — Birthday.
Dulces — Sweetmeats.
Díario — Daily newspapers.
Frisones — Large horses from the north.
Función — Solemnity-festival.
Frijoles — Brown beans.
Galopina — Kitchen-girl.
Garbanzos — Chick-peas Cicer Arietinum.
Gachupin — Name given to the Spaniards in Mejico.
Garita — City-gate.
Goleta — Schooner.
Gentuza — Rabble.
Honras — Funeral honours.
Hacienda — Country-place.
Ingenio de Azucar — Sugar plantation.
Invalidos — Disabled soldiers.
Jarro — Earthen jar.
Ladrones — Robbers.
Léperos — Beggars, low persons.
Litera — Litter.
Monte Pio — Office where money is lent on security.
Mezcal — Brandy distilled from pulque.
Manga — Cloak made of cloth, with a hole in the middle for putting the head through.
Novios — Betrothed persons.
Nuestro Amo — Our Master, used in speaking of the Host.
Ojo de Agua — Spring of water.
Portales — Covered portico supported by columns.
Pulqueria — Shop where pulque is sold.
Paseo — Public walk.
Paso — Pace, pacing.
Padrino — Godfather.
Plaza — Square.
Patio — Courtyard.
Petate — Matting.
Poblana — Woman of Puebla.
Pronunciamiento — A revolution in Mexico.
Pronunciados — Those who revolt.
Rancho — A farm.
Ranchero — Farmer.
Rebozo — A scarf that goes over the head.
Reja — Iron grate.
Sopilote — Species of carrion vulture.
Sarape — A woollen blanket more or less fine, with a hole for the head to go through.
Traspaso — Conveyance, transfer.
Tilma — Indian cloak.
Tierra caliente — The hot land.
Tertulia — An evening party.
Toreador — Bull-fighter.
Tortilla — Species of thin cake.
Tortillera — Woman who bakes tortillas.
Vaca — Joint stock in gambling.
Vomito — Name given to the yellow fever.
Venta — Inn.