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

From New York Times

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

From 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.

From BBC

A matador was mortally wounded in the Valencia ring that summer, a banderillero was trampled at the Escorial, and those favorite stabbers, Reverte and Bombita, were themselves stabbed by avenging horns.

From Project Gutenberg

Austin could not tell her, for it was a thing he could never understand; but while the attendants were still flinging the black sombreros into the air another banderillero approached the bull.

From Project Gutenberg