novillero

[noh-vee-air-oh, -vuhl-yair-oh, naw-vee-ye-raw, -lye-]

noun

plural

novilleros 

1. a young bullfighter who has not yet been named a matador.

Word History and Origins

Origin of novillero¹

1920–25; < Spanish, equivalent to novill ( o ) a fighting bull less than three years old (< Latin novellus; novel ² ) + -ero (< Latin -ārius -ary ); such bulls are typically fought by novice bullfighters

Example Sentences

Mr. Barrio began his career as a novillero, or a young bullfighter, in 2010.

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