encomienda

[ en-koh-mee-en-duh, -kom-ee-; Spanish eng-kaw-myen-dah ]
/ ɛnˌkoʊ miˈɛn də, -ˌkɒm i-; Spanish ˌɛŋ kɔˈmyɛn dɑ /

noun, plural en·co·mi·en·das [en-koh-mee-en-duh z, -kom-ee-; Spanish eng-kaw-myen-dahs] /ɛnˌkoʊ miˈɛn dəz, -ˌkɒm i-; Spanish ˌɛŋ kɔˈmyɛn dɑs/. (formerly in Spanish America)

the system, instituted in 1503, under which a Spanish soldier or colonist was granted a tract of land or a village together with its Indian inhabitants.
the land or village together with its inhabitants.

Origin of encomienda

1800–10; < Spanish: charge, commission, recommendation. See en-1, commend

Words nearby encomienda

encode, encoding, encoignure, encolpion, encomiast, encomienda, encomium, encompass, encopresis, encore, encounter

Example sentences from the Web for encomiendas