Glossary

(English version of “El Filibusterismo”)

abá
A Tagalog exclamation of wonder, surprise, etc., often used to introduce or emphasize a contradictory statement.
alcalde
Governor of a province or district, with both executive and judicial authority.
Ayuntamiento
A city corporation or council, and by extension the building in which it has its offices; specifically, in Manila, the capitol.
balete
The Philippine banyan, a tree sacred in Malay folk-lore.
banka
A dugout canoe with bamboo supports or outriggers.
batalan
The platform of split bamboo attached to a nipa house.
batikúlin
A variety of easily-turned wood, used in carving.
bibinka
A sweetmeat made of sugar or molasses and rice-flour, commonly sold in the small shops.
buyera
A woman who prepares and sells the buyo.
buyo
The masticatory prepared by wrapping a piece of areca-nut with a little shell-lime in a betel-leaf—the pan of British India.
cabesang
Title of a cabeza de barangay; given by courtesy to his wife also.
cabeza de barangay
Headman and tax-collector for a group of about fifty families, for whose tribute he was personally responsible.
calesa
A two-wheeled chaise with folding top.
calle
Street (Spanish).
camisa
1. A loose, collarless shirt of transparent material worn by men outside the trousers.  2. A thin, transparent waist with flowing sleeves, worn by women.
capitan
Captain, a title used in addressing or referring to a gobernadorcillo, or a former occupant of that office.
carambas
A Spanish exclamation denoting surprise or displeasure.
carbineer
Internal-revenue guard.
carromata
A small two-wheeled vehicle with a fixed top.
casco
A flat-bottomed freight barge.
cayman
The Philippine crocodile.
cedula
Certificate of registration and receipt for poll-tax.
chongka
A child’s game played with pebbles or cowry-shells.

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Learn this Filipino word:

kápalin