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tauromachy

tauromachy

9.9
A traditional public show where people fight bulls
  • noun
  • /ˈtɔːrəˌmɑːki/
  • NSFW
translation icon : tauromaquia
  • The history and cultural significance of tauromachy have been widely debated in Spain.

Examples

  • Some consider tauromachy a controversial tradition, while others see it as an art form.

  • He wrote an entire book on the techniques and rituals of tauromachy.

  • The tauromachy festival in Spain attracts many tourists each year.

  • Many people consider tauromachy a controversial tradition.

  • The festival featured a dramatic presentation of tauromachy that drew crowds from all over the region.

  • He has dedicated his life to the craft of tauromachy, showcasing the skill and tradition involved in bullfighting.

  • Many young athletes aspire to master tauromachy as it represents a deep cultural heritage in their country.

Synonyms

bullfight
vstauromachy
  • NSFW
9 6.3

A public show in Spain where a person fights and often kills a bull in an arena

is the wider art and practice underlying such public events
bullfighting
vstauromachy
  • NSFW
7 6.2

A traditional public show where a person fights and often kills a bull for entertainment

is the practice and art behind that spectacle rather than the single event

Surface Forms

tauromachy singular
tauromachies plural

Morphology

tauromachy = tauro + machy

The word is derived from Greek roots 'tauro' (bull) and 'machy' (fight), but these are not productive English morphemes, making the word opaque to learners.

Etymology

The word tauromachy comes from the Greek words tauros ('bull') and machē ('fight' or 'battle'), so it literally means 'bull-fight'. That's why tauromachy is used for the art or practice of bullfighting as a public spectacle.