noun
caballero
A gentleman in a Spanish-speaking society.
A caballero lifts his riding hat courteously beside his saddled horse.
Etymology
The word begins with a horseman. Through the mounted knight and his social standing, it developed the courteous sense of a gentleman.
In context
a caballero when you are not one; for though gentlefolk may be so, poor men are nothing of the kind!
More examples
- In the Spanish novel, the caballero treats his guests with formal politeness.
- She translates caballero as gentleman in this passage.
- The letter addresses him as an honorable caballero.
Forms
caballero · caballeros
Similar words
- gentleman
- The general English term without the Spanish-speaking cultural setting.
- señor
- Señor is a general respectful title for a man; caballero can emphasize gentlemanly status or conduct.