pinhata

Portuguese

Uma pinhata

Etymology

From Mexican Spanish piñata, from piña, from Latin pinea (“pinecone”), because its paper cover (on traditional making) resembles one. Alternatively from Spanish via Italian pignatta (“clay pot”),[1] from a Chinese custom allegedly introduced by Marco Polo.[2]

Pronunciation

(Brazil) IPA^(key): /pĩˈɲa.tɐ/ [pĩˈj̃a.tɐ]
- (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /piˈɲa.ta/

(Portugal) IPA^(key): /piˈɲa.tɐ/

Hyphenation: pi‧nha‧ta

Noun

pinhata f (plural pinhatas)

(Latin American culture) a doll or other decorated container that is filled with candy and hit with a hammer or a stick by blindfolded children during birthday parties or other celebrations until the candy falls out

References

“piñata”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
Center for History and New Media (2019 March 15 (last accessed)) “Piñata [Object]”, in Children and Youth in History, Item #411‎: “Polo likely brought the idea to Italy, where by the 14th century it was associated with celebration of Lent, and acquired the Italian name pignatta or "fragile pot."”

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[1] “piñata”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.

[2] Center for History and New Media (2019 March 15 (last accessed)) “Piñata [Object]”, in Children and Youth in History, Item #411‎: “Polo likely brought the idea to Italy, where by the 14th century it was associated with celebration of Lent, and acquired the Italian name pignatta or "fragile pot."”