adelantado

[ ad-l-ahn-tah-doh; Spanish ah-the-lahn-tah-thaw ]

noun

, History/Historical.

, plural a·de·lan·ta·dos [ad-l-ahn-, tah, -dohz, ah-, th, e-lahn-, tah, -, th, aws].

1. a governor of a province in Spain or of a Spanish colonial province.
2. any of the early explorers, conquerors, or colonizers in Spanish America.

Word History and Origins

Origin of adelantado¹

1835–45, Americanism; < Spanish, noun use of past participle of adelantar to go forward, derivative of adelante in front ( a- (< Latin ad- ad- ) + delante before, for denante < Late Latin dē in ante )

Example Sentences

“I thank you, noble gentlemen,” were the words of the Adelantado, as they separated for the night.

From Project Gutenberg

But the adelantado positively refused to let the Frenchmen have his shallop or bateau.

From Project Gutenberg

Leaving a party to guard the boats, the Adelantado set off on foot with the remainder, sleeping one night on the road.

From Project Gutenberg

The cacique attempted to get loose, but was held firm in the iron grasp of the Adelantado.

From Project Gutenberg

The Adelantado distributed among them various trinkets, which so pleased them that they came with still more abundant supplies.

From Project Gutenberg