maquila

English

Etymology 1

From Spanish maquila, from Andalusian Arabic مَكِيلَة (makíla), from Arabic مَكِيلَة (makīla, “measured”). In reference to factories, via Spanish clipping of maquiladora, from maquilar (“to assemble”) + -adora (“-ator: forming agent nouns”), from maquilar's original sense of taking a toll of grain. Also understood as a clipping within English.

Noun

maquila (plural maquilas)

1. Synonym of medio, half-celemin, a traditional Spanish unit of dry measure equivalent to about 2.3 L.
2. Synonym of maquiladora, a factory or sweatshop in Latin American and Spanish contexts.

Etymology 2

From Basque makila via Spanish maquila.

Noun

maquila (plural maquilas)

1. Alternative spelling of makila, a kind of walking stick.
   • 1903, Prosper Mérimée, translated by Lady Mary Loyd, Carmen, published 1845:

     I would give one of my fingers to have your milord out on the mountains, and each of us with a maquila in his fist.

Spanish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /maˈkila/ [maˈki.la]
• Rhymes: -ila
• Syllabification: ma‧qui‧la

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Andalusian Arabic مَكِيلَة (makíla), from Arabic مَكِيلَة (makīla, “measured”). In reference to factories, via clipping of maquiladora, from maquilar (“to assemble”) + -adora (“-ator: forming agent nouns”), from maquilar's original sense of taking a toll of grain.

Noun

maquila f (plural maquilas)

1. (historical) maquila, half-almud (a traditional unit of dry measure of variable size)
2. (historical) Synonym of medio, half-celemin (a traditional unit of dry measure equivalent to about 2.3 L)
3. Synonym of maquiladora (a factory or sweatshop in Latin American and Spanish contexts)

Coordinate terms

• (irregular unit): almud (2 maquilas)

Verb

maquila

1. inflection of maquilar:
   1. third-person singular present indicative
   2. second-person singular imperative

Etymology 2

From Basque makila.

Noun

maquila f (plural maquilas)

1. Alternative spelling of makila

Further reading

• “maquila”, in Diccionario de la lengua española (in Spanish), online version 23.7, Royal Spanish Academy, 2023 November 28