My Word of the Day

Question

Madrina

Listening to an old Spanish programme, "Cuéntame", I heard the word Madrina. How can one noun have so many meanings? I do realise that context must be extremely important when this word is being used.

Godmother (de bautizo)

Matron of honour (de boda)

Patron (of an association)

Prop or Shore (arquitectura)

Brace (técnica)

Plus all the other derivations used in South America.

I am not really looking for answers but just thought these meanings might be of interest.

:-) - --Mariana--, JUN 6, 2010

Answer 1

I suppose the feminine phrase "Mañana, voy a ser una madrina" would be pretty inconclusive then.

Yes! - --Mariana--, JUN 6, 2010

So interesting, I had no idea about the arquitectura etc. - margaretbl, JUN 6, 2010

Answer 2

I guess this is a word where context is key!

Answer 3

I have heard this word several times before, but never bothered to look it up. I assumed it had something to do with "mother", "maternal", etc.

Thanks for sharing the definitions.