Word origins

• cordilleraAn extensive, continent-wide chain of mountains, especially one in the Americas.
• MarteA surname from Spanish.
• TrevinoA surname from Spanish.
• bombaA form of traditional drumming, and an associated form of dance, from Puerto Rico.
• IbarraA surname from Spanish [in turn from Basque].
• ValenzuelaA surname from Spanish.
• CubanoA type of sandwich with pork, ham, and cheese.
• FARCRevolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, a Marxist-Leninist guerrilla group involved in the continuing Colombian conflict starting in 1964.
• BonillaA surname from Spanish.
• peyoteA small, spineless cactus (Lophophora williamsii) found from southwest United States to central Mexico that produces buttonlike tubercles that can be chewed for their psychedelic effect, primarily from the drug mescaline.
• MexicanoA Mexican (especially male).
• manzanitaAny evergreen shrub or tree of the genus Arctostaphylos, especially Arctostaphylos manzanita, having smooth red or orange bark and stiff, twisting branches.
• feriaA weekday on a Church calendar on which no feast is observed.
• ColomaA surname from Spanish.
• pascualGrowing in pastures or grassy commons, among less rank herbage than pratal.
• pardoA former money of account in Portuguese India, one twentieth of a rupia.
• FreireA surname from Spanish [in turn from Galician].
• bataA ceremonial double-headed drum played in triplet in the religion of santería, especially in Cuba and Puerto Rico, originally from the Yoruba of Nigeria.
• mamimommy, mother
• SepulvedaA surname from Spanish.
• LuceroA surname from Spanish.
• RoatanAn island, the largest of the Bay Islands, a department of Honduras, in the Caribbean Sea.
• conchoA silver ornament either stamped with a design or inlaid with a stone.
• baguioA typhoon.
• AlejandraA female given name from Spanish, equivalent to English Alexandra.
• perfectoPerfect, excellent, brilliant.
• TulaA city in Hidalgo, Mexico, near the remains of the Toltec city Tollan.
• vacaA surname from Spanish.
• EscalanteA surname from Spanish.
• FrioA river in Texas, United States.
• saltoA somersault.
• piedraA hair disease caused by a fungus.
• paradorA simple hotel or bed and breakfast in Spanish-speaking countries.
• ReynaA surname from Spanish.
• VelazquezA surname from Spanish.
• cotoA traditional Spanish unit of length, equivalent to about 10.4 cm.
• punaAn alpine biological community in the central portion of the Andes in which short, coarse grass supports a Native American population.
• LaderaA census-designated place in San Mateo County, California, United States.
• anchovyAny small saltwater fish of the Engraulidae family, consisting of 160 species in sixteen genera, those of the genus Engraulis being widely sold as food.
• PortilloA surname from Spanish.
• mongoStill-usable things salvaged (by sanmen) from garbage.
• JovenA surname from Spanish.
• CuevasA surname from Spanish.
• sangriaA cold drink, originating in Spain, consisting of red or white wine, brandy or sherry, fruit juice, sugar and soda water and garnished with orange and other fruit.
• estanciaA large rural estate in Latin America; a kind of ranch.
• ArellanoA surname from Spanish [in turn from Basque].
• guanoDung from a sea bird or from a bat.
• uleA Mexican and Central American tree (Castilla elastica), related to the breadfruit tree, whose milky juice contains caoutchouc.
• mantonA shawl or wrap.
• cuatroAny of several stringed instruments of Latino origin; a Venezuelan ukulele-like instrument with four strings; a Puerto Rican violin-like instrument with ten strings in five courses (most commonly).
• puroA cigar, especially one made with tobacco from a single country.
• cancionA song.
• ruedaA kind of salsa round dance.
• HerediaA surname.
• TabacoA city in Albay, Philippines.
• sombreroA kind of hat with a high conical or cylindrical crown and a saucer-shaped brim, highly embroidered, made of plush felt.
• habaneroAn intensely spicy chili pepper, Capsicum chinense.
• pinoleA coarse flour made from ground toasted maize kernels, often mixed with herbs, which may be eaten by itself or incorporated into drinks.
• volanteA cumbrous two-wheeled pleasure carriage used in Cuba. The body is in front of the axle; the driver rides on the horse.
• BarilocheA department in Río Negro province, Argentina; in full, Bariloche Department.
• suluAn all-purpose skirt-like garment worn by men and women in Fiji.
• CorralesA surname from Spanish.
• CarrascoA surname from Spanish.
• TegucigalpaThe capital city of Honduras.
• mangleTo change, mutilate, or disfigure by cutting, tearing, rearranging, etc.
• burroA small donkey, especially when used as a pack animal or one that is feral and lives in the southwestern United States or northern Mexico.
• enchiladaA Mexican dish made by wrapping a filling in a tortilla, then baking in a sauce.
• SamarAn island of Eastern Visayas, Visayas, Philippines.
• rancheroa ranch or rancho worker
• saltilloIn Mexican languages, especially Nahuatl, a glottal stop or fricative sound.
• continuoA member of the personal guard of the medieval and early modern Spanish or Portuguese kings.
• tuteA trick-taking card game, originally from Italy.
• manasThe mind; that which distinguishes man from the animals.
• PinedaA surname from Spanish.
• OrozcoA surname.
• nievesA surname from Spanish.
• HinojosaA surname from Spanish.
• alcazarAny Moorish fortress in Spain.
• SalgadoA surname from Spanish [in turn from Galician].
• ZamboangaZamboanga City (a city in Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao, Philippines)
• AymaraAn indigenous people of South America.
• AltadenaA census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States.
• ZavalaA surname from Spanish [in turn from Basque].
• GuadalcanalA town in Andalusia, Spain.
• GeronaA municipality of Tarlac, Philippines.
• AguilaA surname from Spanish, an anglicized spelling of Águila.
• PeronA surname.
• AlcalaA surname from Spanish.
• CuernavacaA city in Morelos.
• huertaThe area of Murcia and Valencia with fertile ground.
• PastranaA surname from Spanish.
• MaradonaA surname from Spanish.
• lenguaA Mexican dish consisting of beef tongue used to make tacos.
• alcantaraA suede-like synthetic textile, composed of polyester and polyurethane.
• CeutaAn autonomous city of Spain and exclave at the edge of Morocco.
• BataanA province of Central Luzon, Luzon, Philippines. Capital and largest city: Balanga.
• cabezaBeef cheek or similar meat, especially in Mexican cooking
• GamboaA surname from Spanish [in turn from Basque].
• SaltaA province in northern Argentina.
• toqueA type of hat with no brim.