pinhata

Portuguese

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^[1]: “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."”

[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^[1]: “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."”

[1]

[2]