Vocabulario Californio

This glossary includes many of the words found in documents written in Alta California
before 1848 and defines such words as they were used at that time. Note that although
accent marks (diacritical marks) are used in this list, such marks were sometimes omitted
in the handwritten documents. The following rules/explanations should be kept in mind.

Spanish words ending with 'a' are feminine, with 'o' are masculine.
The initial 'h' may be omitted.
The following letter pairs are interchangeable:
'b' = 'v'; 'i' = 'y'; 'x' = 'j'; 'f' = 'ph'; 's' = 'z'; 'ze' = 'ce'.
The letter "ñ" is a separate letter of the alphabet which follows "n".
At one time "ch" and "ll" were also separate letters of the alphabet, but
we are using the modern Spanish alphabet for this list.

abajo/a = under, below, lower.
abilitado - see habilitado.
abordo = aboard.
abuelo/a = grandparent .
abuelos maternos = mother's parents.
abuelos paternos = father's parents.
adoptivo/a = adoptive, adopted.
afinidad = relationship, usually a relationship by marriage or an illicit sexual
    relationship which required a dispensation to be married.
agregado = gathered together, included.
ahorcado (orcado)= hanged.
ajusticiado = executed.
alajas = valuables.
a la mañanita = at day break.
al anochecer = at nightfall.
alamito = small cottonwood.
álamo = cottonwood.
albañil = mason, usually a stonemason.
alcalde = official of a community; head of the local council, having both executive
    and judicial, as well as some legislative powers. Appointed or elected for one year.
alférez = lowest rank of army officer, corresponding to ensign in the U.S. Navy,
    or second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Not to be confused with the Spanish term
    "teniente", which was a much higher rank.
alférez de defensores = public defender, defense attorney.
aliso = alder tree, the native alder is the white alder.
alto/a = high, tall; upper.
Alta California = "Upper" California, roughly what is now the current states of
    California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona north of the Gila river.
amansebados (amancebados) = living in concubinage; unmarried.
ambos = both.
anclado = anchored.
antes = before.
Antigua California = Baja California
Antigua España = Spain (in Europe).
año = year.
armada = navy.
arreglo = government regulation.
arribo/a = above, higher.
arriero = muleteer.
articulo de la muerte = at the point of death.
asesor = a legally trained person who served as a consultant to a lay judge,
    governor, or a legislative body. (California had very few of these.)
asistencia = a chapel in an outlying area where services were held by mission
     priests at irregular intervals.
aspirante = candidate for military or public office.
avecinado = residing.
averiguación = investigation.
ayudante = assistant, aide.
ayuntamiento = governing body, usually the city council of a pueblo.

baile = dance, ball.
Baja California = "Lower" California, the peninsula comprising the current Mexican
    states of Baja California and Baja California Sur. In this time period, the religious,
    military, and civil center was Loreto.
balazo = gunshot.
bandido = bandit, outlaw.
bastante = sufficient.
bautismo = baptism.
bautizar = to baptize.
bautize = I baptized.
boca = mouth. In place names, the mouth of a stream or river.
bolsa = pocket, neck of land between water or swamp.
borregas = lambs.
brea = tar, used as a roofing material.
buque = ship.

c.c. (casado con) = married to.
cemo. (cementerio) = cemetery.
comande. (comandante) = commandant.
comde. (comandante) = commandant.
compa. (compañía) = company.
corl. (coronel) = colonel.
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caballería = cavalry.
caballero = cavalryman, gentleman .
cabo = corporal (military).
cadete = cadet (military).
cajón = box canyon, place boxed in by hills.
calesa = two or four wheeled carriage.
calofate del buque = ship's caulker.
Californiano = a resident of either Alta or Baja California.
Californias = term referring to both Alta and Baja California. In earlier documents,
    Nueva and Antigua California.
Californio = a resident of either Alta or Baja California. Neophytes from Baja
    were referred to as Californios.
Cámara de Diputados = Mexican House of Representatives, in Mexico City.
Campo Santo = holy ground, a cemetery consecrated by the Catholic Church.
canales (Canales) = canals, the name of a presidio in Durango; channels, the Santa
    Barbara area (Channel Islands). Sometimes the Santa Barbara presidio was
    called Presidio de Canales.
cantero = stonecutter.
cañada = glen or dale.
capellán = chaplain
capitán = captain, a high military rank, approximately equal to colonel in the
    U.S. Army. Also used to refer to the Indian chief of a ranchería.
carnal = closely related by blood.
carta = letter, chart, document
casado con (c.c.) = married to
casta = a term referring to non "Españoles".
Catalonian Volunteers = see Voluntarios de Cataluña.
Cataluña, Cathaluña = Catalonia Spain.
cementerio (cemo., zemo.) = cemetery.
cepo (zepo) = stocks.
cerca = near.
cerrito = small hill.
chanter = (an English word) one who chants. In this period, one who
    chanted Gregorian chants, which was a prominent part of Catholic masses;
    also one who led the padre into the church at the beginning of mass.
chico/a = small.
chiquito/a = very small.
ciego = blind.
ciénega = marsh, swamp.
cinco = five.
cirujano = surgeon.
cocina = kitchen.
cocinero = cook.
comandante (comande., comde.) = commandant.
comisionado = those empowered by the government to perform some official function. Comisionado de Policia = police inspector. Usually the head of a civil body charged
    with enforcing the laws.
como = about, approximately.
compañía (compa.) = company.
complir con = comply with.
conjuges = married couple.
conquistadores = conquerors; the very early Spanish soldiers in New Spain. For services
    to church and crown, they and their descendents were given special privileges. consanguinidad = relationship by blood.
consorte = husband/wife, spouse.
conste lo firme = that it be so, I signed it.
contramaestre = boatswain.
contrayento = betrothed.
convinado = belonging.
coronel (corl.) = colonel.
costura = seamstress.
coyote = a person of mixed race: Español, Indian, and Negro.
criado = manservant.
cual = which.
cuatro = four
cundado/a = sister/brother in law.

d. (día) = day.
dfto/a. (difunto/a) = deceased person.
dho/a. (dicho/a) = aforesaid.
Dn. (Don) = mister, sir.
Dna. (Doña) = lady.
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de la mañana = in the morning.
de la tarde = in the afternoon.
desfiliado/a = neophyte removed from the rolls of a mission.
desgraciado = unfortunate.
día (d.) = day.
día antecedente = the day before.
día anterior = the day before.
diablo = devil.
días tras días = day after day.
dicho/a (dho/a.) = aforesaid.
Diegueños = early Spanish name for San Diego Indian tribes, now called Kumya'ay.
diez = ten.
difunto/a (dfto/a.) = deceased person.
diligencias matrimonial - see informaciones.
diputación = council, usually elected.
diseño = map, sketch attached to land claims.
di sepultura eclesiática = gave ecclesiastical burial.
doce = twelve.
domiciliados = residing.
Domingo de Ramos = Palm Sunday (used as a name).
Don (Dn.) = mister, sir.
doncella = young lady, unmarried.
Doña (Dna.) = lady.
duda = doubt.

ECN (en casu necessitatis) = in case of necessity.
EPM (en peligro de muerte, en periculo mortis) = in peril of death
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ebrio = drunk, inebriated.
edad = age.
ejército = army.
encargado de justicia = a judge similar to juez de paz.
en casu necessitatis (ECN) = in case of necessity.
encinitos = small live oaks.
encinos = live oaks, evergreen as opposed to "robles" which were deciduous oaks.
enfermero = nurse.
en la mar = at sea.
en peligro de muerte (EPM) = in peril of death.
en periculo mortis (EPM) = in peril of death.
entonce = formerly, then.
entrada = entrance, entry.
enyervado = poisoned.
errero see herrero.
escándalo = scandal.
escolta = the squad of soldiers assigned to protect a mission or a pueblo
    (normally 5 soldiers and one corporal).
escuadra = squadron (military).
español = a person of primarily Spanish ancestry. In practice in California,
    sometimes applied to anyone who had fully assimilated into the Hispanic
    culture including Indian, mestizo, mulatto and coyote.
esperanza = hope.
espiritual = related spiritually through the godparent relationship.
esposo/a = spouse.
estero = tidal creek, salt marsh.
expósito/a = foundling, abandoned child.

falleció = died.
feligrés = parishioner.
fiscal = prosecuting attorney, specially appointed to handle a particular case
    on behalf of the public interest.
fondo piadoso = the Pious Fund, a benevolent fund of the Catholic Church
    to promulgate the faith and care for the needy.
fragata = frigate.

gobr. (gobernador) = governor.
govr. (gobernador) = governor.
--------------------------------------------------------------
gemelo/a = twin.
gente de razón = "people of reason", non-Indian; a member of the established Christian
    community. This sometimes included second generation Indians, as well as some
    neophytes who had assimilated into the community.
gentile = in this period, applied to Indians who had not been baptized.
gobernador (gobr., govr.) = governor.
golpe = a blow.
Guatmotal = place name, probably near Capistrano.

h.l. (hijo/a legitimo/a) = legitimate child.
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habilitado = paymaster, quartermaster.
hacienda = large home.
hechar el agua = sprinkle water (baptize).
hermano/a = sister/brother.
herrero = blacksmith.
hijo/a = son, daughter.

from Diccionario de la Real Academia
~ = hijo
~ espurio, ria.
1. m. y f. hijo bastardo.
2. m. y f. hijo ilegítimo de padre desconocido.
~ habido, da, en buena guerra.
1. m. y f. hijo habido fuera del matrimonio.
~ ilegítimo, ma.
1. m. y f. hijo de padre y madre no unidos entre sí por matrimonio.
~ incestuoso, sa.
1. m. y f. hijo habido por incesto.
~ legitimado, da.
1. m. y f. hijo natural que se equipara en todo al legítimo por subsiguiente matrimonio de los padres o parcialmente por concesión real.
~ legítimo, ma.
1. m. y f. hijo nacido de legítimo matrimonio
~ mancillado, da.
1. m. y f. hijo espurio.
~ natural.
1. m. y f. hijo habido de mujer soltera y padre libre, que podían casarse al tiempo de tenerlo.
2. m. y f. Corrientemente se toma por hijo ilegítimo

hijo/a espurio = illegitimate children of parents who could not marry, where one
    or both parents were currently married to someone else. The term appears
    infrequently, when the padre was annoyed with one or both of the parents.
hijo/a legitimo/a (h.l.) = legitimate child.
hijo/a natural = properly, illegitimate son or daughter of parents who could marry.
    Actually used generally for illegitimate children.
hoy (oi) = today.
huérfano/a = orphan.
huerta = garden, orchard.
huesos = bones.

indio/a = Indian.
informaciones = documents establishing that a couple were eligible to marry
    under the rules set up by the Council of Trent. They were required for all marriages.
ingle = groin .
inominado/a = unnamed.
in periculo mortis = in peril of death.
inválido = retired soldier.
item = ditto.

jacalón = hut made of branches.
jarazo = wound with a dart.
juez de campo = acted as judge and jury at a rodeo to decide the ownership of
    disputed animals. His decision was final.
juez de paz = justice of the peace, who handled local disputes, primarily civil.
junta = a group joined together to pursue a cause. Sometimes applied to
    governing councils.

leguas = leagues (about 3.5 miles).
legitimate = make legitimate by subsequent marriage previous hijos naturales.
    Theoretically hijos espurios could not be legitimatized, however, it is clear
    that this occurred.
Libro de Bautizados = Book of Baptisms, where all baptisms were recorded,
    includes the full names of both parents, sometimes with all grandparents,
    occupation of the father, and always the padrinos.
Libro de Confirmaciones = Book of Confirmations, where all confirmations were
    recorded, included the name of the confirmed, parents of children, madrino
    or padrino, and sometimes the age. (Boys had padrinos, girls madrinas, which
    is helpful to determine the sex of the child.)
Libro de Difuntos = Book of Deaths, where all deaths were recorded, usually
    the parents were named, or spouse for adults, and sometimes the baptismal
    number for Indian deaths.
Libro de Matrimonios = Book of Marriages, where all marriages were recorded,
    included the names of bride and groom, whether they were single, widow or
    widower, usually the names of their parents, dispensations if any, and the
    names of witnesses.
line = one twelfth of an inch.
llamada = named.
lugar = place.

M-R (Monte-Rey) = Monterey
Misn. = Mission.
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madre = mother.
madrina = godmother.
madrugada = dawn.
maestre = mate of a merchant ship.
maestro = master, highly skilled artisan.
mala vida = "bad life", a euphemism for prostitute; also applied to women of
    notoriously bad moral character.
mallorquín = of or from Majorca.
mañana = tomorrow, later, never; morning.
marido/a = spouse.
marinero = mariner, sailor.
mayordomo = steward, overseer.
media- = half- (as media hermana = half-sister)
media noche = midnight.
medio día = noon.
mes = month.
mestizo = of mixed Spanish-Indian blood.
mismo = same.
modo = manner.
monte = mountain, hill; back country.
Monte-Rey (M-R) = Monterey
morador = resident.
morba = disease.
mozo = young man, man-servant, bachelor.
mucho/a = much, many.
muchacho/a = girl/boy.
muger = wife, woman.
mulato/a = person of mixed Black and European ancestry.

n. = no name.
n.n. (notario nombrado) = notary.
N.S. (Nuestra Señora) = Our Lady.
natl. (natural) = native of.
no. (nuevo) = new.
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nacer = to be born.
nacido/a = born.
natural (natl.) = native of.
neofito/a = local Indian, baptized, but not fully assimilated into the Hispanic
    society, a neophyte.
nieto/a = grandchild.
nino/a = girl/boy.
notario nombrado (n.n.) = notary.
noche = night.
noche antes = the night before.
novio/a = fiancée, fiancé, sweetheart.
nuevo/a (no.) = new.
Nueva California = Alta California
nueve = nine.
Nuestra Señora (N.S.) = Our Lady.
nutria = otter.

ocho = eight.
oi - see hoy
once = eleven.
orcado - see ahorcado
orejano = unbranded calf or colt of uncertain parentage.
originario = originally a resident of.
orilla = edge, shore,

p. (padre) = father; priest.
p.n.c. (padre no conocido) = father unknown.
pdo = presidio.
pps. (padres) = parents.
privadmte. (privadmente) = privately.
prova. (provincia) = province.
-------------------------------------------------------------
padrasto = step-father.
padre (p.) = father; priest .
padre no conocido (p.n.c.) = father unknown.
padres (pps.) = parents.
padrino = godfather.
padrinos = godparents, with the obligation to ensure the proper spiritual
    upbringing of a child and also to provide support and care in case of death
    or disability of the parents. Also, the sponsor at confirmation.
padrón = census, also the ongoing record of all Indian neophytes and families
    belonging to a mission.
palo = tree.
playa = beach.
paquebot = packet (ship).
párroco (parroquia) = parish
parto = childbirth.
párvulo/a = young child.
perteneciente = pertaining, belonging.
pila = font (baptismal).
piquete = picket, a small body of troops.
plantar = establish, settle.
plaza = place, position.
pluma = quill, writer, scribe.
poblador = settler. Usually applied to the first settlers of a pueblo.
poco = little, few.
poniendome = placing on me.
por la tarde = in the afternoon.
por necesidad = of necessity.
prefect = local official.
pregunta = question.
presbitero = priest.
presidario = convict, prisoner.
presidio = garrisoned fort. There were 5 in the Californias: Loreto, San Diego,
    Monterey, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara. A fully manned garrison was 55,
    including officers, although it was frequently less, from which the escoltas were
    drawn for each mission and pueblo.
preso = prisoner.
primo/a = cousin.
primer (o) = first, chief, leading.
privadmente (privadmte.) = privately.
propio = proper, one's own.
provincia (prova.) = province.
pueblo = specifically, chartered town, i.e., San Jose, Los Angeles, and Branciforte.
    After secularization, there were others.
puente = bridge.
puerto = seaport.
punta = point of land.

quince = fifteen.

r.n. (recién nacido) = recently born.
rancha. (ranchería) = Indian village.
rl. (real) = royal.
rn (recién nacido) = recently born.
--------------------------------------------------------------
rana = frog.
ranchería (rancha.) = Indian village.
rancho = large land holding with cattle.
real (rl.) = royal.
reales = Spanish coins, 1/8 of a peso, about 12.5 cents, a "bit".
recién nacido (r.n./rn) = recently born.
refugio (Refugio) = refuge. (Also, a given name.)
regidor = councilman (lower than alcalde).
reino = kingdom.
repentimente = suddenly.
respuesta = reply, answer.
retirado = retired.
rey (rei) = king.
rico = rich.
rincón = nook, small piece of land.
rodeo = round up of stock.

s. (soldado) = soldier.
s.c. (soldado de cuera) = leather jacket soldier.
s.v. (soldado voluntario = volunteer soldier, Catalonian volunteer
sargto. (sargento) = sergeant (military).
sirvte. (sirviente) = servant, employee.
Sn., S. = San (as in San Carlos).
--------------------------------------------------------------
sacó de pila = to stand sponsor, to be godparent.
sangrador = bloodletter.
sanja (Zanja Santiago!) = war-cry of the Spanish, used also as the starting signal
    for a horse race.
santo = holy.
sarampión = measles.
sargento (sargto.) = sergeant (military).
secularización = secularization; the conversion of all Mission properties to civilian use,
    begun in the 1830s.
seguridad = security, certainty.
sentó plaza = enlisted.
sien = temple, head.
seis = six.
semana = week.
serbiente = servant. Frequently also applied to artisan employees.
siete = seven.
síndico = town attorney concerned with pueblo ordinances, permits for dances,
    fairs, etc. However, it has a broader meaning of trustee, receiver, overseeing
    officials of some sort or another.
sirviente (sirvte.) = servant, employee.
sitio = small farm.
sobre = about .
sobrino/a = niece/nephew.
soldado (s.) = soldier.
soldado de cuera (s.c.) = leather jacket soldier. The common soldier of the
    Southwest, usually mounted. The jacket was a knee length coat of seven
    layers of deer hide, effective against arrows, but not bullets.
soldado distinguido = soldier given extra privileges, usually due to belonging to
    a ranking family, i.e. he did not perform K.P. or latrine duty.
soldado voluntero (s.v.) = volunteer soldier, Catalonian volunteer.
soltero/a = single person, never married.
sordo = deaf.
sor (sur) = south.
supercargo = (an English word) a ship's officer in charge of cargo. Usually
    responsible for sales and purchase of hides and tallow.

t. (téstigo) = witness.
tene. (teniente) = lieutenant (military).
thene. (teniente) = lieutenant (military).
tt. (téstigos) = witnesses.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
también = also.
teja = roof tile.
teniente (tene., thene.) = lieutenant (military).
téstigo (t.) = witness.
téstigos (tt.) = witnesses.
téstigos de asista = witnesses to marriage ceremony.
téstigos prior = those who testified to the marriageability of the couple.
tiempo = time.
tonelero = cooper.
trajo (traxo) = brought .
trece = thirteen.
tres = three.
tule = tule, reed, rush.
tutor = teacher, guardian of a minor.

uno = one

v. (voluntario) = volunteer (military), usually used for the Catalonian volunteers.
vol. (voluntario) = volunteer (military), usually used for the Catalonian volunteers.
----------------------------------------------------------------
vara = measure of length about a yard.
voluntario (v., vol.) = volunteer (military) usually used for the Catalonian volunteers
valle = valley.
vecindad = vicinity, inhabitants of a place.
vecino (s) = resident (s), neighbor (s).
velación = literally, the blessing of a marriage. Although couples could be
    married at any time, the velación could not be performed during certain periods
    such as Lent and Advent, so that this final sacrament of marriage could occur
    considerably after the marriage. Normally both ceremonies were performed together.
víbora = rattlesnake.
viejo/a = old person.
vigilante = member of a vigilance committee, an unauthorized committee
    organized for the maintenance of order and summary punishment of crime
    in the absence of regular or efficient courts.
visitador general = ecclesiastical inspector of missions and parishes.
vino = came.
viruelas = smallpox.
viudo/a = widow/widower.
vocal = member of a committee or governing body.
voluntario (v., vol.) = volunteer (military), usually used for the Catalonian volunteers.
Voluntarios de Cataluña = Catalonian Volunteers, a group of about 100 soldiers
    recruited in Catalonia Spain in the late 1700s for service on the frontier of New
    Spain. As time passed, recruits came from Mexico, but their ancestry were
    supposed to be from Catalonia.

ygla. (yglesia) = church.
----------------------------------------------------------
yglesia (ygla.) = church.

zemo. (zementerio) = cemetery.
------------------------------------------------------------
zaguán = entrance.
zanja = ditch.
Zanja Santiago! - see sanja.
zementerio (zemo.) = cemetery.
zepo (cepo) = stocks.