pinhata
Portuguese
![](Images/wiktionary/PI%C3%91ATA.jpg.webp)
A pinhata.
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
- IPA(key): (Brazil) /pĩˈɲa.tɐ/, [pĩˈj̃a.tɐ]
- IPA(key): (Portugal) /piˈɲa.tɐ/, [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.
- Center for History and New Media (accessed March 15, 2019), “Piñata [Object]”, in Children and Youth in History, Item #411: “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."”