fanega

[ fuh-ney-guh; Spanish fah-ne-gah ]

noun

, plural fa·ne·gas [f, uh, -, ney, -g, uh, z, fah-, ne, -gahs].

1. a unit of dry measure in Spanish-speaking countries, equal in Spain to 1.58 U.S. bushels (55.7 liters).
2. a Mexican unit of land measure, equal to 8.81 acres (3.57 hectares).

Word History and Origins

Origin of fanega¹

1495–1505; < Spanish < Arabic fanīqah big bag

Example Sentences

Measuring by fanegas was then still in vogue in Mexico; a fanega equals about sixty-four kilograms.

From Project Gutenberg

I asked him if he wanted us to die from starvation, and then another man offered me half a fanega.

From Project Gutenberg

This is imposed on the Indian natives by assessment or allotment,4 and is paid at the rate of a peso per fanega.

From Project Gutenberg

It is measured not by the bushel, but by the fanega, which weighs 225 pounds.

From Project Gutenberg

Maize was sold by the carga, or load, which was about one half of the Castilian fanega.

From Project Gutenberg