mariachi
[mahr-ee-ah-chee; Spanish mah-ryah-chee]
- pertaining to traditional Mexican dance music, usually played by a small band of strolling musicians dressed in native costumes.
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- a member of such a band.
- the music played by such a band.
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Origin of mariachi
1940–45; < Mexican Spanish mariache, mariachi, perhaps < French mariage marriage; the music is said to have been played at weddings in the state of Jalisco, where it originated
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for mariachi
Contemporary Examples
Inside, guests reported, a mariachi band played, and Kissinger was regaled with a slew of speeches.
mariachi
- a small ensemble of street musicians in Mexico
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Word Origin
C20: from Mexican Spanish
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for mariachi
n.
"Mexican strolling musical band," 1941, from Mexican Spanish, from French mariage "marriage" (see marriage), so called because such bands performed at wedding celebrations. As an adjective by 1967.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper