Bantay

/ˈbɑn.taɪ/ noun

Definition

A Filipino word meaning a guard, watchman, or someone who keeps watch over something.

Etymology

From Filipino/Tagalog origin, likely related to Austronesian roots meaning 'to guard' or 'watch,' with unclear exact etymology but documented in Filipino dictionaries.

Kelly Says

This Filipino word shows how different languages develop unique words for simple concepts — while English needed 'guard' from Norman French, Filipinos created their own word with completely different roots.

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