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Portugal of the Portuguese

Chapter 31: GLOSSARY
By Aubrey F. G. Bell
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About This Book

The book offers a wide-ranging portrait of Portugal, combining observations of national character, demographics, rural and urban life, religion, and natural beauty with studies of architecture, convents, and regional customs. It surveys literary and theatrical traditions, outlines political developments culminating in the transition from monarchy to republic, and examines contemporary events and Anglo‑Portuguese relations. Chapters mix descriptive travel-writing, historical overview, cultural analysis, and practical glossaries, and the text is illustrated with plates and maps to support discussions of landscapes, monuments, and everyday occupations.

GLOSSARY

  • A
  • Abastado. Wealthy.
  • Aga. H.
  • Agoadeiro. Water-carrier.
  • Agoureiro. Prophetic.
  • Alfandega. Customs-house (from Arab.).
  • Alcachofra. Thistle or artichoke (from Arab.).
  • Alem. Adv. beyond (from alli ende). Lancaster, in Portuguese, became Alem-castro.
  • Alforges. Saddlebags (from Arab.).
  • Algarvio. Inhabitant of Algarve; chatterer.
  • Almocreve. Carrier (from Arab.).
  • Alto. High.
  • Amanhã. To-morrow.
  • Amendoa. Almond.
  • Amigo. Friend.
  • Andar. To walk, to go.
  • Andorinha. Swallow.
  • Anichar. Find a place for.
  • Armazem, plur. -ns. Store, stores (from. Arab.).
  • Arranjar. Arrange.
  • Avenida. Avenue.
  • Azinheira. Evergreen oak.
  • Azulejo. Glazed tile (from Arab., though commonly derived from azul, blue).
  • B
  • Bacalhau. Stock-fish.
  • Barraca. Hut.
  • Beirão. Inhabitant of Beira.
  • Benzedor. Lit. = Blesser.
  • Bica. Spout of fountain, etc.
  • Bilha. Water-jar.
  • Boeirinha. Fem. Dimin. of boeiro = Fr. bouvier, ox-man.
  • Boas Festas. Bonne fête.
  • Branco. White.
  • Brando. Soft, gentle.
  • Brazileiro. Portuguese returned rich from Brazil.
  • Broa. For Boroa, Borona (probably corruption of Morona), maize-bread.
  • Broinha. Dimin. of broa.
  • Bruxa. Witch. Also night-light; also earthenware jar with holes.
  • C
  • Cabo. Cape.
  • Cabula. Idler.
  • Calaceiro. Idler.
  • Calçada. Paved way, street.
  • Caloiro. First-year student at Coimbra University.
  • Campo. Field. No c. In the country.
  • Canga. Yoke.
  • Cantadeira. Girl improvising songs at romarias, etc.
  • Cantiga. Song. Short poem = Canto, Cantar.
  • Cantoneiro. Road-mender (Fr. cantonier).
  • Capa. Cloak.
  • Carta. Letter.
  • Casado. Married.
  • Castanha. Chestnut.
  • Cauteleiro. Street seller of lottery tickets.
  • Cavaco. Gossip.
  • Centavo = dezreis, a halfpenny.
  • Cera. Wax.
  • Cervo. Stag.
  • Chafariz. Fountain (from Arab.).
  • Chegar. To arrive.
  • Charneca. Moorland (from Span.).
  • Cheia. Flood (from Lat. plenus).
  • Cheiro. Scent.
  • Chiste. Quip, jest.
  • Choupal. Poplar grove (from choupo).
  • Chuva. Rain (Lat. pluvia, Fr. pluie, Sp. lluvia).
  • Cidade. City.
  • Cisne. Swan.
  • Ciume. Jealousy.
  • Clerigo. Priest.
  • Collareja. Vegetable-seller (from village of Collares).
  • Comedia = Comedoria. Food.
  • Conquistador. Conqueror.
  • Consoada. Light supper, or extra meal, especially on Christmas Eve.
  • Conto. Story. Conto (de réis), a tale of a million réis (= about £200).
  • Cordoaria. Place where cords or ropes are made.
  • Coroça. Cloak of reeds.
  • Coutada. Enclosed park.
  • Crescer. To grow.
  • Cruz. Cross.
  • D
  • Deixarse-estar. Let oneself be, or drift.
  • Deixarse-ir. (Fr. laisser aller).
  • Demissionario. Of Minister or Government about to resign.
  • Desabado, Chapeo d. Wide-brimmed hat.
  • Desde. Since, from.
  • Desejar. Desire.
  • Desleixo. Slovenliness.
  • Despesas. Expenses.
  • Deus. God.
  • Dia. Day.
  • Diario. Daily newspaper.
  • Dom, Dona. Sp. Don, Doña; Lat. Dominus.
  • Donzellinha. Dimin. of donzella, Maiden.
  • Doutor. Doctor (e.g., of Divinity). Doctor (M.D.) is Medico.
  • E
  • Empregomania. Bureaucracy.
  • Ensino. Education.
  • Escudo = Milreis = about 5 francs.
  • Esfolhada. Gathering of men and women to separate maize-cobs from their sheath.
  • Esperança. Hope.
  • Estalagem. Inn.
  • Exma. = Excellentissima = most excellent.
  • F
  • Fado. Melancholy modern ballad (connected with the word “fate”).
  • Fé. Faith.
  • Festa. Holiday.
  • Festejar. Celebrate.
  • Feiticeiro. Sorcerer. Also adj., Charming (from feitiço, charm; cf. Fetish).
  • Fidalgo. Nobleman.
  • Fiel, eis. Faithful.
  • Filho. Son.
  • Fogareiro. Stove.
  • Formiga. Ant.
  • Fregues. Customer.
  • Furtar. To steal.
  • Futrica. Town as opposed to Gown (at Coimbra).
  • G
  • Gallo. Cock.
  • Gallego. Inhabitant of Galicia.
  • Garrido. Fine, fair, smart.
  • Gente. People. The peasants use a gente as = “I” or “we.”
  • Geral. Adj., General.
  • Gosto. Pleasure.
  • H
  • Herdade. Large farm or estate.
  • Horta. Vegetable garden.
  • Hospedaria. Inn, hôtel.
  • I
  • Ilha. Island.
  • Infeliz. Unhappy, miserable.
  • Ingreme. Steep.
  • J
  • Janeiras. Songs of New Year’s Day.
  • Janella. Window.
  • Jardim. Garden.
  • Junta. Committee.
  • Justiceiro. Just; practising justice.
  • L
  • Ladainha. Litany.
  • Lagrimas. Tears.
  • Lamuria. Blind beggar’s complaint.
  • Laranjeira. Orange-tree.
  • Lareira. Hearth.
  • Largo. Square.
  • Lavrador. Peasant; ploughman.
  • Leilão. Auction.
  • Leziria. Alluvial land.
  • Lisboeta. Inhabitant of Lisbon.
  • Livro. Book.
  • Lua. Moon.
  • Lume. Fire.
  • Luta, Lucta. Strife, struggle.
  • M
  • Maçã. Apple.
  • Magico. Magician.
  • Mais. More. (Mas = But.)
  • Magusto. Fire for roasting chestnuts.
  • Maldito. Accursed.
  • Mansamente. Gently.
  • Marinha. Salt-pits.
  • Matto. Moorland.
  • Mavioso, Meigo. Charming, delicate.
  • Meia duzia. Half-a-dozen.
  • Menagem. Oath (Homenagem).
  • Metter. To put, place.
  • Minhoto. Inhabitant of Minho.
  • Missa. Mass.
  • Moça. Girl.
  • Mocidade. Youth.
  • Molhadinho. Dimin. of Molhado, Wet.
  • Monte. Estate (in Alemtejo or Algarve).
  • Morango and Morangão. Strawberry.
  • Morgadinha. Fem. dimin. of Morgado, Heir of entailed estate.
  • Mosteiro. Monastery.
  • Mundo. World.
  • Municipio. Town Hall, Town Council.
  • Murta. Myrtle.
  • N
  • Noite. Night.
  • Nortada. North wind.
  • Noticias. News.
  • Novidade. Novelty.
  • O
  • Oiro, Ouro. Gold.
  • Orvalhada, Orvalho. Dew.
  • P
  • Paço, Palacio. Palace.
  • Padre. Priest (Father is Pae).
  • Palmellão. Wind from Palmella.
  • Para que serve? What is the use of?
  • Passarinho. Dimin. of Passaro, Bird.
  • Pauta. Tariff.
  • Pavoroso. Terrible.
  • Pega. Magpie.
  • Poblador. Founder = Povoador.
  • Poço. Well.
  • Podridão. Rottenness.
  • Praça. Square.
  • Praia. Shore.
  • Pregões. Street cries.
  • Primo or Primo Coirmão. Cousin.
  • Pronto. Ready.
  • Pronunciamento = Sp. Pronunciamiento.
  • Q
  • Quadra. Quatrain.
  • Quanto, quantos? How much, How many?
  • Quem dá? Who gives?
  • Quentinha. Fem. dimin. of Quente, Hot. (Contraction of caliente.)
  • Quinta. Country-house.
  • R
  • Rabadão. Shepherd (= Rebanheiro).
  • Redondilhas. Verses of four lines of eight syllables.
  • Regateira. Market-woman.
  • Reis. Kings.
  • Réis. Plural of real (20 réis = a penny).
  • Republica. At Coimbra University a group of students living together.
  • Rocio = Praça. Square (formerly recio).
  • Roda. Wheel.
  • Romance, Cantar romance. Old ballad usually in lines of sixteen syllables. Formerly romance = common (Portuguese) language as opposed to Latin. In modern Portuguese it = “novel.” (Fr. roman.)
  • Romaria. Pilgrimage.
  • Rosmaninho. Rosemary.
  • Rua. Street. Rua Nova, New Street.
  • S
  • S. = São. Saint.
  • Saber. To know.
  • Sala. Hall.
  • Saloio. Peasant of neighbourhood of Lisbon.
  • Saudade. Wistfulness; bittersweet regret.
  • Saudoso. Filled with regret or longing.
  • Sé. Cathedral.
  • Sebastianismo. The attitude of mind that looks for the return of King Sebastian.
  • Senhor. Sir; lord.
  • Serra. Mountain range.
  • Serviçaes. Servants; day-labourers.
  • Simples. Simple.
  • T
  • Taverna, Taberna. Tavern; wayside inn.
  • Tejo. Tagus (Sp. Tajo).
  • Terra. Earth; country.
  • Terreiro. Terrace.
  • Torre. Tower.
  • Tosquia. Shearing.
  • Tourada. Bull-fight.
  • Trabalho. Labour; sorrow; trouble.
  • Trato. Commerce.
  • Tratos. Torture.
  • Travessa. Passage; side street.
  • Troça, Fazer troça de. Satire, skit.
  • V
  • V.E. or V. Exa. = Vossa Excellencia. Your Excellence.
  • Vámos. Let us go.
  • Varina. Fishwoman (= woman of (O)var).
  • Velho. Old.
  • Venda. Inn (Sp. venta).
  • Venho. I come.
  • Veraneantes. Summer residents.
  • Viagem. Journey.
  • Vintem. Penny.
  • Vossé. You.
  • Vossemecé. Your Worship = you.
  • Z
  • Zagal, aes. Shepherd boy (from Arab.).