espelunca

Portuguese

Etymology

From Latin spēlunca, from Ancient Greek σπῆλυγξ (spêlunx), from earlier σπέος (spéos).

Pronunciation

 
  • (Brazil) IPA(key): /is.peˈlũ.kɐ/, /es.peˈlũ.kɐ/
    • (Rio de Janeiro) IPA(key): /iʃ.peˈlũ.kɐ/, /eʃ.peˈlũ.kɐ/
    • (Southern Brazil) IPA(key): /es.peˈlũ.ka/
  • (Portugal) IPA(key): /(i)ʃ.pɨˈlũ.kɐ/

  • Rhymes: -ũkɐ
  • Hyphenation: es‧pe‧lun‧ca

Noun

espelunca f (plural espeluncas)

  1. cave, cavern or grotto
  2. (figurative, derogatory) poorly lit, dirty and messy dwelling
  3. (figurative, derogatory) generally illegal gambling house

Further reading

Spanish

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin spēlunca.

Noun

espelunca f (plural espeluncas)

  1. cave

Further reading