caballero

[ kab-uhl-yair-oh, kab-uh-lair-oh; Spanish kah-bah-lye-raw, -ye- ]

noun

, plural ca·bal·le·ros [kab-, uh, l-, yair, -ohz, kab-, uh, -, lair, -ohz, kah-bah-, lye, -raws, -, ye, -].

1. a Spanish gentleman.
2. Southwestern U.S.
   1. a horseman.
   2. a woman's escort or admirer; cavalier.

caballero

/ ˌkæbəˈljɛərəʊ; kaβaˈʎero /

noun

1. a Spanish gentleman
2. See horseman
   a southwestern US word for horseman

Word History and Origins

Origin of caballero¹

First recorded in 1740–50; from Spanish: “horseman, knight, gentleman,” from Late Latin caballārius groom; cavalier

Word History and Origins

Origin of caballero¹

C19: from Spanish: gentleman, horseman, from Late Latin caballārius rider, groom, from caballus horse; compare cavalier

Example Sentences

His Zorro dedicates himself to the equitable treatment of every citizen and rouses his fellow caballeros to practice a democratic form of noblesse oblige.

From Washington Post

His capture could have been very bad luck for Col. Caballero.

From The Daily Beast

He spotted Nestor Gabriel Caballero Gutierrez, 39, of Aloha, Oregon, limping down the road.

From The Daily Beast

"No, seor—I have no brother: that caballero, he is only a——a friend of my father's," she answered confusedly.

From Project Gutenberg

The change became him; he seemed a larger and handsomer man for it; he looked the caballero and almost the hidalgo.

From Project Gutenberg

You must feel like myself, Caballero, inclined to draw breath after so long a ride; shall we rest together?

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, he is a true Caballero; unfortunately, there are not many officers like him in the Mexican army.

From Project Gutenberg

And you think yourself still in a position to answer for the discretion of this caballero?

From Project Gutenberg