muleta

American

[moo-ley-tuh, -let-uh] / muˈleɪ tə, -ˈlɛt ə /

noun

a red cloth similar to but smaller than a capa and manipulated by a stick set into one of the three holes in or near the center, for use by a matador in guiding the course of the bull's attack in the stage of the fight preparatory to the kill.

muleta British

/ mjuːˈlɛtə /

noun

the small cape attached to a stick used by the matador during the final stages of a bullfight

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of muleta

1830–40; < Spanish: prop, support, muleta, diminutive of mula (feminine) mule 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.

Most matadors keep the muleta between them and the bull.

From Time Magazine Archive

Manuel was facing the bull again, the muleta held low and to the left.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then he drew his sword from underneath the muleta, profiled and lunged at the bull.

From Time Magazine Archive

The bull will look first at the muleta, then at the man.

From Time Magazine Archive

He profiled directly in front of the bull, drew the sword out of the folds of the muleta and sighted along the blade.

From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway

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