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estocada

American  
[es-tuh-kah-duh, es-taw-kah-thah] / ˌɛs təˈkɑ də, ˌɛs tɔˈkɑ ðɑ /

noun

  1. the thrust of the sword by the matador into the bull in the final stage of a bullfight, designed to kill the bull.

Etymology

Origin of estocada

1570–80; < Spanish < Middle French estoqu ( ier ) to give sword thrusts ( see estoc) + Spanish -ada -ade 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Before I could extricate myself," writes Sidney Joseph Perelman, "the auctioneer had brought me to my knees and was administering the estocada.

From Time Magazine Archive

For ten minutes after a good estocada, the matador is the most popular man in Spain.

From Castilian Days by Hay, John

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.