cuadrilla

American  

[kwah-dree-yuh, -dreel-yuh, kwah-three-lyah, -three-yah] / kwɑˈdri yə, -ˈdril yə, kwɑˈðri lyɑ, -ˈðri yɑ /

noun

plural

cuadrillas

1. the group of assistants serving a matador in a bullfight, consisting of three banderilleros and two picadors.

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Etymology

Origin of cuadrilla

1835–45; < Spanish: group, gang (originally one of four groups), diminutive of cuadra < Latin quadra side of a square

Example Sentences

Gueta Vargas fue visto en su descanso a las 2 pm, dijo, y había una cuadrilla más grande trabajando en un campo adyacente.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 5, 2021

In a cuadrilla there are positions to be won.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then one probably becomes apprenticed to a cuadrilla, or troupe, under some great matador.

From Time Magazine Archive

Why, her brother belonged to his cuadrilla; and the girl was with him in the camp.

From The Guerilla Chief And other Tales by Reid, Mayne

Before the bull could rise, the men of the cuadrilla had it safely bound and El Tigre released.

From The Red-Blooded Heroes of the Frontier by Bronson, Edgar Beecher