hidalgo

¹ American  

[hi-dal-goh, ee-thahl-gaw] / hɪˈdæl goʊ, iˈðɑl gɔ /

noun

plural

hidalgos

1. a man of the lower nobility in Spain.

2. (in Spanish America) a man who owns considerable property or is otherwise esteemed.

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Hidalgo ² American  

[hi-dal-goh, ee-thahl-gaw] / hɪˈdæl goʊ, iˈðɑl gɔ /

noun

1. Juan c1600–85, Spanish composer and harpist.

2. a state in central Mexico. 8,057 sq. mi. (20,870 sq. km). Pachuca.

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Hidalgo ¹ British  

/ hɪˈdælɡəʊ, iˈðalɣo /

noun

1. a state of central Mexico: consists of a high plateau, with the Sierra Madre Oriental in the north and east; ancient remains of Teltec culture (at Tula); rich mineral resources. Capital: Pachuca. Pop: 2 231 392 (2000). Area: 20 987 sq km (8103 sq miles)

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hidalgo ² British  

/ hɪˈdælɡəʊ, iˈðalɣo /

noun

1. a member of the lower nobility in Spain

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Other Word Forms

• hidalgism noun
• hidalgoism noun

Etymology

Origin of hidalgo

1585–95; < Spanish, contraction of hijo dalgo, Old Spanish fijo dalgo a noble, a person with property, a son with something < Latin filius son + dē from + aliquō something

Explanation

In Spanish and Portuguese history, a hidalgo was a member of the nobility. Hidalgos were born into their positions, which gave them certain privileges in society, like not having to pay taxes. Hidalgo comes from the Spanish hijo de algo, "a person born into wealth," or literally, "son of something." The 12th-century hidalgo class was considered "lesser nobility," or lower in rank than many other noblemen. It wasn't common for a hidalgo to own land. Still, they enjoyed many benefits of their inherited place in society, including the right to bear arms and be exempt from taxation.

Example Sentences

Still, he regularly returned to his masked hidalgo.

From Washington Post • Jul. 10, 2019

Today life makes such demands on man that the noble hidalgo Don Juan is to be seen nowhere save in the theater.

From Time Magazine Archive

In that piece an old Spanish hidalgo in New Mexico in 1847 detects in his son democratic tendencies.

From Time Magazine Archive

But who can be consistent in the home of el ingenioso hidalgo!

From Heroic Spain by O'Reilly, Elizabeth Boyle

The Spanish hidalgo = filius alicujus, the son of some one.

From The Bible in Spain - Vol. 2 [of 2] by Borrow, George Henry