matador

noun mah-tah-DOR Rare

Origin: Spanish matador, from matar (to kill)

Usage Note

Matador refers to the principal bullfighter who performs the final kill in a corrida. The word entered French directly from Spanish. In figurative French usage, le matador can describe the dominant player or main act in a competition or show.

Examples

"Le matador affronte le taureau avec calme."

Natural Translation

The matador faces the bull calmly.

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