matachin

noun

ma·​ta·​chin
variants or less commonly matachine
ˌmätəˈchēn,
ˌma-,
-ˈshēn
plural -s see sense 1b
often attributive
1
a
: a sword dancer in a fantastic costume

called also bouffon

b
plural matachini
-ē(ˌ)nē
[Mexican Spanish matachín, from Spanish, matachin (sense 1a), from Italian mattaccino] : a member of a society of Mexican-Indian dancers who perform ritual dances
2
: a dance performed by a matachin

Word History

Etymology

Italian mattaccino, from matto madman, fool, from matto mad, crazy, from Latin mattus stupid, drunk

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Cite this Entry

“Matachin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matachin. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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