duende
Americannoun
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a goblin; demon; spirit.
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charm; magnetism.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
I for one will sadly miss him and his duende.
From BBC • Feb. 26, 2014
It's duende from the Spanish, chills on the back of your neck, and then the next minute it's gone.
From The Guardian • May 1, 2010
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
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.
