milpa

[ mil-puh ]

noun

1. (in certain tropical regions) a tract of land cleared from the jungle, usually by burning, farmed for a few seasons, and then abandoned.

Word History and Origins

Origin of milpa¹

1835–45, Americanism; < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl mīlpan, equivalent to mīl ( li ) cultivated field + -pan locative suffix

Example Sentences

The agente rode with us in the morning quite a league upon our road, to a place which he was clearing for a milpa.

From Project Gutenberg

The mound was discovered by the Indians when cutting down virgin bush to make a milpa, or corn plantation.

From Project Gutenberg

It was discovered by an Indian, who had cut a piece of virgin bush with the object of making a milpa.

From Project Gutenberg

Milpa roza is, literally, field cleared of underbrush and ready for planting.

From Project Gutenberg

If the savages have extended their milpa clearings since our visit, the falling trees have probably spoiled these walls by now.

From Project Gutenberg