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Synonyms

banderilla

American  
[ban-duh-ree-uh, -reel-yuh, bahn-de-ree-lyah, -yah] / ˌbæn dəˈri ə, -ˈril yə, ˌbɑn dɛˈri lyɑ, -yɑ /

noun

plural

banderillas

  1. an ornamented dart with barbs used by banderilleros for sticking into the neck or shoulder of the bull.

banderilla British  
/ ˌbændəˈriːə, -ˈriːljə /

noun

  1. bullfighting a decorated barbed dart, thrust into the bull's neck or shoulder

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of banderilla

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Spanish, equivalent to bander(a) “flag, standard, banner” + -illa diminutive suffix, from Latin; see banner

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For the banderilla: In a medium bowl, combine mojo picón and Manchego cheese, stirring to coat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 6, 2018

The jaunty insouciance of the young range-rider irritated him as a banderilla goads a bull in the ring.

From Steve Yeager by Raine, William MacLeod

In one of Goya's bull-fighting sketches, we may see a Moor, with a cloak on the left arm, and a dart in the right hand, practising the suerte de banderilla.

From The Story of Seville by Hartley, C. Gasquoine (Catherine Gasquoine)

And the smile was as a banderilla to her niece's goaded spirit.

From New Faces by Neagle, Charles F.

One of them steps to within speaking distance of the animal, and holding a banderilla in each hand lifted above his head, stamps his foot and shouts insulting words.

From The Land of The Blessed Virgin; Sketches and Impressions in Andalusia by Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.