sangusuela

Old Spanish

Etymology

From Latin sanguisūga (“leech”) + -uela (diminutive).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sanɡuˈsu͡ela/

Noun

sangusuela f (plural sangusuelas)

1. leech
   • c. 1250, Alfonso X, Lapidario, f. 25v:

     […] ſi la meten en la boca al que a ſanguſuelas en la garganta tira gelas todas aſſi como la aymante tira el fierro.

     […] if they put it in the mouth of one who has leeches in his throat, it attracts them all just like a magnet attracts iron.

   • Idem, f. 56r.

     Et fallan la ſiempre en forma de redoma ⁊ parece dentro en ella figura de ſanguſuela. ⁊ ſi la quebrantan en cada pedaço fallá otro tal.

     And they always find it shaped like a vase, and inside it seems to have what looks like a leech, and if they break it, in each piece they find the same.

Descendants

• Spanish: sanguijuela