banderillero

[ban-duh-ree-air-oh, -reel-yair-, bahn-de-ree-lye-raw, -ye-]

noun

plural

banderilleros 

1. a matador's assistant who sticks the banderillas into the bull.

banderillero

/ -riːˈljɛərəʊ, ˌbændəriːˈɛərəʊ /

noun

1. a bullfighter's assistant who sticks banderillas into the bull

Word History and Origins

Origin of banderillero¹

Fist recorded in 1790–1800; from Spanish, equivalent to banderill(a) + -ero; banderilla, -ary

Example Sentences

He leads his crew not of banderilleros and picadors, but of drink crafters and cooks through flawless passes to a demanding mob, his “domination of the bull.”

Read more on Salon

He slips in telling statistics with the skill of a banderillero, using them always to secure a point and move his story forward.

Read more on New York Times

His older brother was with him as a banderillero, but he did not live in this hotel.

Read more on Literature

As well as the matadors themselves, 16 of their assistants were injured - these include "picadors" on horseback, "banderilleros" on foot, and a sword page.

Read more on BBC

At last our hideous greed was glutted, and the banderilleros took their turn in baiting the now enfeebled but undaunted bull.

Read more on Project Gutenberg