Alguacil
Definition
A public official, bailiff, or lower-ranking officer in medieval Spain and its colonies, in charge of maintaining public order, executing court mandates, and guarding prisoners. In modern bullfighting, it tracks the two riders opening the arena parade.
Bilingual Equivalents
- Alguacil
- Spanish bailiff
Grammatical & Source Details
| Inflection Type | Masculine noun with regular plural configurations utilized inside administrative and historical records. |
| Formation | Loanword derived from Spanish 'alguacil', etymologically rooted in the Arabic term 'al-wazīr' representing a governor or vizier. |
| Spelling / Pronunciation | [al.ɣwa.ˈθil] |
| Source | Encyclopedia of Romance Administrative Terms, Castilian Law, and Colonial History |
Contextual Usage Examples
RO: În coloniile din America de Sud, un alguacil era responsabil de aplicarea legilor stabilite de coroana spaniolă.
EN: In the South American colonies, an alguacil was responsible for enforcing the laws established by the Spanish crown.
RO: Martorii au relatat cum acel alguacil a arestat suspectul și l-a condus direct în fața judecătorului regal.
EN: The witnesses reported how that alguacil arrested the suspect and led him directly before the royal judge.
RO: La începutul coridei, un alguacil a cerut în mod simbolic cheia țarcului de la președintele festivității.
EN: At the beginning of the bullfight, an alguacil symbolically requested the key to the pen from the president of the festivity.
Idioms & Phrases
Alguacil mayor / Chief alguacil / high bailiff
RO: Oficial de rang superior în consiliile municipale spaniole, având atribuții extinse de poliție și securitate publică.
EN: A high-ranking official within Spanish municipal councils, possessing extended police and public security powers.
Mandat de alguacil / Alguacil mandate / bailiff warrant
RO: Ordin oficial scris prin care dregătorul era împuternicit să sechestreze bunuri sau să rețină rău-platnicii.
EN: An official written order by which the officer was authorized to seize property or detain defaulters.
Costum de alguacil / Alguacil costume / ceremonial attire
RO: Vestimentație tradițională neagră din epoca habsburgică, purtată ceremonial în timpul paradelor din arenele de taur.
EN: Traditional black attire from the Habsburg era, worn ceremonially during parades in the bullrings.
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