Bullfighting

/ˈbʊlfaɪtɪŋ/ noun

Definition

A traditional Spanish spectacle where a matador (fighter) battles a bull in an arena, using skill and a red cape.

Etymology

From English 'bull' (the animal, from Old English 'bula') combined with 'fighting.' The practice has Iberian roots going back centuries, becoming formalized as an art form in 18th-century Spain.

Kelly Says

Bullfighting is called 'la fiesta brava' (the brave festival) and treated as high art in Spain—matadors are celebrities like rock stars, and the fight is structured like a tragic dance with three acts, each bringing the bull closer to death in a spectacle some see as magnificent and others see as cruel.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.