estocada

American

[es-tuh-kah-duh, es-taw-kah-thah] / ˌɛs təˈkɑ də, ˌɛs tɔˈkɑ ðɑ /

noun

the thrust of the sword by the matador into the bull in the final stage of a bullfight, designed to kill the bull.

Etymology

Origin of estocada

1570–80; < Spanish < Middle French estoqu ( ier ) to give sword thrusts ( estoc ) + Spanish -ada -ade ¹

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 squat, rugged La Motta was going to brawl with furious energy and the lithe, elegant, Robinson would swerve and shimmy and toy with his opponent, torturing him until his spirit was broken and his body open to a decisive estocada.

From The Guardian

Before I could extricate myself," writes Sidney Joseph Perelman, "the auctioneer had brought me to my knees and was administering the estocada.

From Time Magazine Archive

For ten minutes after a good estocada, the matador is the most popular man in Spain.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023