picador

[ pik-uh-dawr; Spanish pee-kah-thawr ]

noun

, plural pi·ca·dors, Spanish pi·ca·do·res [pee-kah-, thaw, -, r, es].

1. one of the mounted assistants to a matador, who opens the bullfight by enraging the bull and weakening its shoulder muscles with a lance.

picador

/ ˈpɪkəˌdɔː /

noun

1. bullfighting a horseman who pricks the bull with a lance in the early stages of a fight to goad and weaken it

Word History and Origins

Origin of picador¹

1790–1800; < Spanish: literally, pricker, equivalent to pic ( ar ) to prick ( pique ¹ ) + -ador < Latin -ātor -ator

Word History and Origins

Origin of picador¹

C18: from Spanish, literally: pricker, from picar to prick; see pique ¹

Example Sentences

Behind them came all the procession, opening out, all striding in step, all the capes furled, everybody with free arms swinging, and behind rode the picadors, their pics rising like lances.

From Literature

There are many matadors, picadors, minotaurs, bulls and horses in a new show exploring Picasso and the importance of bullfighting – but also a glimpse of his terrible treatment of women.

From The Guardian

They’ll play the picador tormenting the bull, goading him, weakened, into an unfortunate charge.

From Wall Street Journal

As well as the matadors themselves, 16 of their assistants were injured - these include "picadors" on horseback, "banderilleros" on foot, and a sword page.

From BBC

Like a picador, he takes his time to sap the strength of his foes before clubbing them unconscious.

From Newsweek

Related Words

• buffoon
• comedian
• comic
• fool
• jester
• mime
• prankster