piñata
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: pinata
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Mexican Spanish piñata, from piña, from Latin pinea (“pinecone”), because its paper cover (on traditional making) resembles one. Alternatively from Spanish via Italian pignatta (“clay pot”),[1] from a Chinese custom allegedly introduced by Marco Polo.[2]
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /pɪnˈjɑː.tə/, /pɪnˈjæ.tə/
Audio (Southern England): (file)
Noun
piñata (plural piñatas)
- (Latin American culture) A doll or other decorated container that is filled with candy and hit with a hammer or a stick by blindfolded children during birthday parties or other celebrations until the candy falls out.
- (figuratively) Something which is repeatedly hit or damaged over a period of time.
- 2020 August 5, Drachinifel, 3:29 from the start, in The Battle of Jutland - Clash of the Titans - Part 2 (Jellicoe vs Scheer), archived from the original on 12 September 2022:
- […] Wiesbaden, largely crippled, nevertheless refuses to sink for the moment, and will become something of a steel piñata for passing British capital ships over the next few hours whilst throwing the odd torpedo back in retaliation.
Translations
candy-filled container that is hit with a stick
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Verb
piñata (third-person singular simple present piñatas, present participle piñataing, simple past and past participle piñataed)
References
- “piñata”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
Further reading
Anagrams
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