bullfight

/'bulfait/

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Word: Bullfight

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A bullfight is a traditional event, particularly popular in Spain, Portugal, and some Latin American countries, where a person called a "matador" performs in a large arena. In this spectacle, the matador engages with a bull, usually provoking and eventually killing the bull in front of many spectators.

Usage Instructions:

• When to use: You can use the word "bullfight" when discussing events related to traditional Spanish or Latin American culture, animal sports, or when talking about bullfighting as a topic.
• Context: It is often discussed in contexts of culture, sports, animal rights, and entertainment.

Example Sentence:

• "Many tourists travel to Spain to see a bullfight, where the skill of the matador is on full display."

Advanced Usage:

In discussions about cultural practices, you might say: - "The bullfight is a controversial tradition that raises questions about animal rights and ethics."

Word Variants:

• Bullfighting (noun): The act or practice of participating in bullfights.
• Matador (noun): The person who fights the bull.
• Banderillero (noun): A person who assists the matador in the bullfight by placing banderillas (barbed sticks) on the bull.

Different Meanings:

In a non-literal sense, "bullfight" can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe a situation where two sides are in fierce competition or conflict, but this usage is less common.

Synonyms:

• Bullfighting spectacle
• Bullring event
• Tauromachy (a more formal term for the art of bullfighting)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no widely used idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "bullfight," but you might hear phrases like: - "To take the bull by the horns" - This means to confront a difficult situation directly, which metaphorically relates to facing a bull in a fight.

Cultural Context:

Bullfighting is a deeply rooted tradition in some cultures, but it is also a subject of significant debate, especially regarding animal welfare. In recent years, many people have called for bans on bullfighting due to concerns about cruelty to animals.

Academic

Noun

1. a Spanish or Portuguese or Latin American spectacle; a matador baits and (usually) kills a bull in an arena before many spectators

Synonyms

• corrida