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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From Time Magazine Archive

Finally the animal was slowed to a befuddled walk, drawn to the muleta as though hypnotized.

From Time Magazine Archive

To learn why one of Sunday's bulls had been rejected by the fighters as too tame, Dr. Gaona took a muleta, went into the ring with the bull.

From Time Magazine Archive

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 "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway