duende

American  

[dwen-de, doo-en-dey] / ˈdwɛn dɛ, duˈɛn deɪ /

noun

Spanish.

plural

duendes

1. a goblin; demon; spirit.

2. charm; magnetism.

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duende British  

/ duːˈɛndeɪ /

noun

1. inspiration or passion, esp associated with flamenco

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Etymology

Origin of duende

First recorded in 1685–95 duende for def. 1; 1955–60 duende for def. 2; Spanish, shortened from duen de (casa) “master of (the house)”; duen, variant of dueño “lord, master” (from Latin dominus; see dominate ( def. )) + de de ( def. )

Example Sentences

But the duende of flamenco happens — and maybe not by accident — to sound much the same.

From New York Times • Aug. 30, 2022

The simultaneous fondness for the recurring motifs of speculative fiction and its irreverent mocking of twists and tools that have been done to death are central to this show's duende.

From Salon • Jun. 21, 2021

The first precept of duende was “irrationality,” which Mr. Calderon appears to have interpreted as “making sense is optional.”

From New York Times • Jan. 29, 2019

This is when my life-long love affair with duende began.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2014

During his presentation, a torrential rainstorm fell and the black sounds of the duende shivered in the air with mystery and anguish and death.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García