Encomiendas
[en-koh-mee-en-duh, -kom-ee-; Spanish eng-kaw-myen-dah] /ɛnˌkoʊ miˈɛn də, -ˌkɒm i-; Spanish ˌɛŋ kɔˈmyɛn dɑ/
noun, plural encomiendas
[en-koh-mee-en-duh z, -kom-ee-; Spanish eng-kaw-myen-dahs] /ɛnˌkoʊ miˈɛn dəz, -ˌkɒm i-; Spanish ˌɛŋ kɔˈmyɛn dɑs/ (Show IPA) (formerly in Spanish America)
1.
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.
2.
the land or village together with its inhabitants.
noun
in the US, a land grant system started in 1503 which gave certain Spaniards an estate or tract of land in America as well as the Native American inhabitants of that land; also, this tract of land and its inhabitants
Examples
Encomienda provided for Indian tribute in exchange for protection and Christian instruction.
Usage Note
encomendero n
n.
1810, from Spanish, “commission,” from encomendar “to commit, charge.” Estate granted to a Spaniard in America with powers to tax the Indians.
Read Also:
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[en-kuhm-puh s] /ɛnˈkʌm pəs/ verb (used with object) 1. to form a circle about; encircle; surround: He built a moat to encompass the castle. 2. to enclose; envelop: The folds of a great cloak encompassed her person. 3. to include comprehensively: a work that encompasses the entire range of the world’s religious beliefs. 4. Obsolete. […]
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[en-kuhm-puh s] /ɛnˈkʌm pəs/ verb (used with object) 1. to form a circle about; encircle; surround: He built a moat to encompass the castle. 2. to enclose; envelop: The folds of a great cloak encompassed her person. 3. to include comprehensively: a work that encompasses the entire range of the world’s religious beliefs. 4. Obsolete. […]
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[en-kuhm-puh s] /ɛnˈkʌm pəs/ verb (used with object) 1. to form a circle about; encircle; surround: He built a moat to encompass the castle. 2. to enclose; envelop: The folds of a great cloak encompassed her person. 3. to include comprehensively: a work that encompasses the entire range of the world’s religious beliefs. 4. Obsolete. […]
- Encompassment
[en-kuhm-puh s] /ɛnˈkʌm pəs/ verb (used with object) 1. to form a circle about; encircle; surround: He built a moat to encompass the castle. 2. to enclose; envelop: The folds of a great cloak encompassed her person. 3. to include comprehensively: a work that encompasses the entire range of the world’s religious beliefs. 4. Obsolete. […]