salamanca

See also: Salamanca

Spanish

Etymology

An allusion to the University of Salamanca, which taught magic according to historical popular belief.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /salaˈmanka/ [sa.laˈmãŋ.ka]
• Rhymes: -anka
• Syllabification: sa‧la‧man‧ca

Noun

salamanca f (plural salamancas)

1. (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay) natural caves in some hills where according to popular belief, witches hold orgiastic covens with the devil as guest, and where those interested can form pacts with him
2. (Argentina) iguana-like creature with evil powers
3. (Philippines) sleight of hand

   Synonym: juego de manos

Related terms

• salamanquero
• topacio de Salamanca

 

Descendants

• → Tagalog: salamangka

Further reading

• “salamanca”, in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014