Spanish–English dictionary

podrimiento

The act of causing to rot; the anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of malodorous, incompletely oxidized products.

podrir

(intransitive) To suffer decomposition due to biological action, especially by fungi or bacteria.

poema

A literary piece written in verse.

poesía

A literary piece written in verse.

poeta

A person who writes poems.

poeticidad

(figurative) An artistic quality that appeals to or evokes the emotions, in any medium; something having such a quality.

poetisa

A person who writes poems.

poise

(physics) A CGS unit of dynamic viscosity equal to one dyne-second per square centimetre.

póker

(card games) All the four cards of the same rank.

polaca

A person from Poland or of Polish descent.

polaco

A person from Poland or of Polish descent.

polaina

A covering cloth or leather for the whole leg from the knee to the instep, fitting down upon the shoe.

polar

(countable) A textile similar to velvet, but with a longer pile that gives it a softness and a higher sheen.

Polaris

(star) α Ursae Minoris, a trinary star in the constellation Ursa Minor located near the north celestial pole for the last 1500 years.

polarizado

(US) Having a distinctive polarization.

polea

(engineering, countable) One of the simple machines; a sheave, a wheel with a grooved rim, in which a pulled rope or chain lifts an object (more useful when two or more pulleys are used together, as in a block and tackle arrangement, such that a small force moving through a greater distance can exert a larger force through a smaller distance).

polémica

A debate or discussion of opposing opinions; (generally) strife.

polémico

Marked by heated arguments or controversy.

polemizar

(intransitive) To have an argument, a quarrel.

polen

A fine, granular substance produced in flowers.

polenta

Something or anything that has the power to produce a physical effect upon something else, such as causing it to move or change shape.

poleo

Mentha pulegium, a plant of the mint family, formerly much used in various medicinal treatments and as a flea repellent.

polerón

A loose shirt, usually made of a knit fleece, for athletic wear and now often used as casual apparel.

poli

(US, slang) A policeman; a detective; a railroad security guard.

poli-

many

poliamor

Any of various practices involving romantic or sexual relationships with multiple partners with the knowledge and consent of all involved.

poliamoría

Any of various practices involving romantic or sexual relationships with multiple partners with the knowledge and consent of all involved.

poliamoroso

Having relationships with multiple partners, with the knowledge and consent of all involved; engaging in polyamory.

pólice

The short thick digit of the hand that for humans has the most mobility and can be made to oppose (moved to touch) all of the other fingers.

policía

(uncountable) Power or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having such power or right.

policía estatal

(CB radio, slang, US) A state policeman (short for Smokey Bear). [1970s]

policromático

Multicolored, especially if in rainbow order.

policromo

Showing a variety, or a change, of colours; having many colours.

polidipsia hemática

A desire for bloodshed and carnage, often aroused in the heat of battle and leading to uncontrolled slaughter and torture.

poliespán

Expanded polystyrene foam, such as is used in cups and packaging.

poliéster

A material or fabric made from polyester polymer

polifonía

(music) Musical texture consisting of several independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice (monophony) or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony).

poligamia

(often, especially in common use) Synonym of polygyny (“marriage of a man to more than one wife, the practice of having several wives at the same time”).

polígamo

One who practices polygamy, or maintains that it is lawful.

poliginia

The state or practice of having several wives at the same time; plurality of wives; marriage to several wives.

políglota

Of a person: speaking, or versed in, many languages; multilingual.

poligloto

Of a person: speaking, or versed in, many languages; multilingual.

poligonera

(UK, MLE, Ireland, derogatory, offensive ) A working-class youth, especially one associated with aggression, poor education, and a perceived "common" taste in clothing and lifestyle.

poligonero

(UK, MLE, Ireland, derogatory, offensive ) A working-class youth, especially one associated with aggression, poor education, and a perceived "common" taste in clothing and lifestyle.

polilla

Any moth of the family Lasiocampidae.

polímata

A person with extraordinarily broad and comprehensive knowledge.

polín

(architecture) A piece of timber used in building.

Polinesia

A continental region of Oceania, including Easter Island, Hawaii, New Zealand, and most of the islands between them.

polinesio

Of, from, or pertaining to Polynesia.

polinizar

To apply pollen to (a stigma).

polio

(economics) Pertaining to the number of sellers in a market.

poliomielitis

(pathology) Acute infection by the poliovirus, especially of the motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis and sometimes deformity.

polir

(transitive) To shine; to make a surface very smooth or shiny by rubbing, cleaning, or grinding.

polis

(historical) A Greek city-state.

polisón

(historical, countable) A frame worn underneath a woman's skirt, typically only protruding from the rear as opposed to the earlier more circular hoops.

polispasto

Any member of certain classes of devices that hoist things.

politécnica

(UK, dated) An educational institute that teaches applied arts and sciences rather than academic subjects.

politeísmo

The belief in the existence of multiple gods.

politeísta

a believer in, or advocate of, polytheism

política

One engaged in politics, especially an elected or appointed government official.

políticamente

In a political manner.

politicastro

One engaged in politics, especially an elected or appointed government official.

político

One engaged in politics, especially an elected or appointed government official.

politización

(politics) The state of being (or process of becoming) politicized

polizón

A person who deliberately avoids payment for public transport.

polizona

A person who hides on board a ship, train, etc. so as to get a free passage.

polla

(slang) A fun event or person.

pollastre

(colloquial) A young and cheeky or presumptuous person; often with a connotation of ignorance via inexperience. [from 1670s]

pollazo

(slang, vulgar, uncommon) The act of slapping someone with one's penis, particularly in the face.

pollera

A device in which a baby sits in a harness within a wheeled frame that supports it whilst walking.

pollería

The meat from a domestic fowl.

pollito

A young chicken.

pollo

A young bird.

polluela sora

A rail (Porzana carolina) bird of North, Central, and northern South America.

polluelo

A young bird.

polo

(uncountable) A ball game where two teams of players on horseback use long-handled mallets to propel the ball along the ground and into their opponent's goal.

polo a tierra

(electricity) An electrical conductor connected to the earth, or a large conductor whose electrical potential is taken as zero (such as a steel chassis).

pololear

(transitive) To attempt to attract; to invite by attractions; to allure.

pololeo

A form of romantic courtship typically between two individuals with the aim of assessing the other's suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse.

pololo

A male partner in an unmarried romantic relationship.

polonés

Of, from or native to Poland, or relating to the Polish language.

Polonia

A country in Central Europe. Official name: Republic of Poland. Capital and largest city: Warsaw.

polonio

A rare, highly radioactive chemical element (symbol Po) with atomic number 84.

poltergeist

(parapsychology) An unseen ghost which makes noises and causes disruption, especially by causing physical objects to move or fly about.

poltrona

A chair with supports for the arms or elbows.

polución

Physical contamination, now especially the contamination of the environment by harmful substances, or by disruptive levels of noise, light etc. [from 18th c.]

polucionar

(transitive) To make something harmful, especially by the addition of some unwanted product.

polvear

(intransitive) To use powder on the hair or skin.

polvearse

(intransitive) To use powder on the hair or skin.

polvillo

(pathology, dated) A diseased condition of the face or skin; specifically, bleeding under the conjunctiva of the eye, a form of skin rash, or a palsy of the face due to cold.

polvo

(countable, obsolete) A single fine, dry particle of earth or other material; grain of dust.

polvo acidulado

An effervescent powder made of bicarbonate of soda, sugar and flavourings, intended to be eaten alone or mixed with water to make a drink.

pólvora

An explosive mixture of saltpetre (potassium nitrate), charcoal and sulfur; formerly used in gunnery but now mostly used in fireworks.

polvoriento

Covered with dust.

polvorín

An explosive mixture of saltpetre (potassium nitrate), charcoal and sulfur; formerly used in gunnery but now mostly used in fireworks.

polvoroso

Covered with dust.

polvos de hornear

Any agent used to make dough rise or to have a similar effect on baked goods.

poma

A tree of the genus Malus; especially Malus domestica which is cultivated for its edible fruit; the apple tree. [from 15th c.]

pomada

(medicine) A viscous preparation of oils and/or fats, usually containing medication, used as a treatment or as an emollient.

pomada de pelo

A greasy or waxy substance that is used to style hair, making it look slick and shiny.

pomelo

The large spherical tart fruit produced by this tree.

pómez

A light, porous type of pyroclastic igneous rock, formed during explosive volcanic eruptions when liquid lava is ejected into water or air as a froth containing masses of gas bubbles, which are frozen into the rock as the lava solidifies.

pomo

(botany) Any tree that bears apples, principally Malus domestica but also certain wild species.

pompa

A spherically contained volume of air or other gas, especially one made from soapy liquid.

pompar

(transitive, intransitive) To use a pump; to move (water or other liquid) by means of a pump. [from 16th c.]

pompear

(transitive, intransitive) To use a pump; to move (water or other liquid) by means of a pump. [from 16th c.]

Pompeya

A city and commune in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy.

Pompeyo

(historical) Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, a military and political leader of the late Roman Republic.

pompi

(slang, childish, euphemistic) The buttocks.

pompis

(slang, childish, euphemistic) The buttocks.

Pompón

The third reindeer of Santa Claus.

pomposidad

The quality of being pompous; self-importance.

pomposo

Full of circumstance or pomp; ceremonial.

pómulo

The small prominent bone of the cheek.

pon

A lift given to someone in another person's vehicle.

ponchadura

A hole, cut, or tear created by a sharp object.

ponchar

(electricity) To fasten by bending metal so that it squeezes around the parts to be fastened.

ponche

A beverage, generally containing a mixture of fruit juice and some other beverage, often alcoholic.

ponche de huevo

A beverage based on milk, eggs, sugar, and nutmeg; often made alcoholic with rum, brandy, or whisky; popular at Christmas.

poncho

A large semi-aquatic South American rodent of the genus Hydrochoerus.

ponciana

The royal poinciana (Delonix regia), a showy tropical tree from Madagascar.

ponderación

Composure; freedom from embarrassment or affectation.

ponderado

(statistics) With the components of an average multiplied by particular factors so as to take account of their relative importance.

ponderar

(intransitive) To abide; to remain; to continue.

ponderoso

(of a physical object) Having great weight.

ponedora

A hen kept to lay eggs; a breed of chicken bred to maximize laying output.

ponencia

The act of presenting, or something presented.

ponente

(legal, politics) A person appointed by a deliberative body to investigate an issue or a situation, and report back to that body.

poner

(transitive) To join or unite (e.g. one thing to another, or as several particulars) so as to increase the number, augment the quantity, or enlarge the magnitude, or so as to form into one aggregate.

poner [las] espuelas

(transitive) To prod (especially a horse) on the side or flank, with the intent to urge motion or haste, to gig.

poner a cero

(transitive) To set some amount to be zero.

poner a parir

(transitive) To disparage; to belittle; to put down; to harshly criticize, especially a work (book, movie, etc.)

poner a prueba

(transitive, idiomatic) To test (something or someone); to evaluate, scrutinize or explore by testing or experimentation.

poner a tierra

(UK, transitive) To connect electrically to the earth.

poner al mercado

(transitive) To make (products or services) available for sale and promote them.

poner al tanto

(transitive) To summarize a recent development to some person with decision-making power.

poner aranceles

(transitive) To levy a duty on (something).

poner azulejos a

(transitive) To cover with tiles.

poner bajo la figura de

(transitive) To change the appearance of (a person or thing) so as to hide, or to assume an identity.

poner bola negra

(transitive) To place on a blacklist; to mark a person or entity as one to be shunned or banned.

poner el grito en el cielo

(intransitive) To make a commotion or uproar.

poner elato

(transitive) To make joyful or proud.

poner en claro

(by extension) To make or become clear or easily understood; to explain or resolve in order to remove doubt or obscurity.

poner en fila

(intransitive) To arrange themselves into a physical waiting queue.

poner en la lista negra

(transitive) To place on a blacklist; to mark a person or entity as one to be shunned or banned.

poner en la picota

(transitive) To subject to humiliation, scorn, ridicule or abuse.

poner en neutral

(intransitive) To glide along without adding energy; to allow a vehicle to continue moving forward after disengaging the engine or ceasing to apply motive power.

poner en neutro

(intransitive) To glide along without adding energy; to allow a vehicle to continue moving forward after disengaging the engine or ceasing to apply motive power.

poner en orden alfabético

(US, Canada, transitive) To arrange words or items in order of the first (and then subsequent) letters as they occur in the alphabet.

poner en peligro

(transitive) To put into peril; to place in danger.