muleta

American  

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

noun

1. 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.

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muleta British  

/ mjuːˈlɛtə /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of muleta

1830–40; < Spanish: prop, support, muleta, diminutive of mula (feminine) mule ¹

Example Sentences

Wide views and environmental color are forsaken for a zeroed-in framing that tracks both the bull’s grim gladiatorial journey from roving combatant to ritually stabbed, gradually defeated warrior, and Rey’s role as foppish, face-contorting maestro with his flourishes of the muleta and theatrical stances.

From Los Angeles Times

"Corrida is a tradition, an art, a dance with the bull," said Baptiste, one of about a dozen students who learn to wave the traditional red muleta cloth in front of bulls in the Arles bullfighting school.

From Reuters

With the bull who could not see the colors of the capes, or the scarlet flannel of the muleta, Romero had to make the bull consent with his body.

From Literature

Out in the centre of the ring Romero profiled in front of the bull, drew the sword out from the folds of the muleta, rose on his toes, and sighted along the blade.

From Literature

They handed the sword to Romero, and carrying it blade down, the muleta in his other hand, he walked over to in front of the President's box, bowed, straightened, and came over to the barrera and handed over the sword and muleta.

From Literature