Spanish

[span-ish] /ˈspæn ɪʃ/

adjective

of or pertaining to Spain, its people, or their language.

noun

the Spanish people collectively.

a Romance language, the language of Spain, standard also in most of Latin America except Brazil.

Abbreviation: Sp, Sp.

Origin

1175-1225; Middle English; see Spain, -ish¹

Related forms

anti-Spanish, adjective

half-Spanish, adjective

non-Spanish, adjective, noun

pre-Spanish, adjective

pro-Spanish, adjective

pseudo-Spanish, adjective

quasi-Spanish, adjective

Examples from the web for Spanish

Ilokano uses two number systems, one native and the other derived from Spanish.
Like the days of the week, the names of the months are taken from Spanish.
He would also translate several poems and plays into Spanish.

British Dictionary definitions for Spanish

Spanish

/ˈspænɪʃ/

noun

the official language of Spain, Mexico, and most countries of South and Central America except Brazil: also spoken in Africa, the Far East, and elsewhere. It is the native language of approximately 200 million people throughout the world. Spanish is an Indo-European language belonging to the Romance group

(functioning as pl) the Spanish, Spaniards collectively

adjective

of or relating to the Spanish language or its speakers

of or relating to Spain or Spaniards

Word Origin and History for Spanish

c.1200, from Spaine "Spain," from Old French Espaigne (see Spaniard). Replaced Old English Speonisc. For Spanish Main see main. Spanish moss is attested from 1823. Spanish fly, the fabled aphrodisiac (ground-up cantharis blister-beetles), is attested from c.1600. Spanish-American War was so called in British press speculations early 1898, even before it began in April. For Spanish Inquisition (by c.1600), see Inquisition.