bronco

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish bronco (“rough”), 19th c.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈbɹɑŋkoʊ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈbɹɒŋkəʊ/
• Rhymes: -ɒŋkəʊ

Noun

bronco (plural broncos)

1. a horse of western North America that is wild or not fully broken

   Synonyms: bronc, broncho

   • 1922, Sinclair Lewis, “19”, in Babbitt:

     Swollen with greatness, slightly afraid lest the noble blood of Nottingham change its mind and leave him at any street corner, Babbitt paraded with Sir Gerald Doak to the movie palace and in silent bliss sat beside him, trying not to be too enthusiastic, lest the knight despise his adoration of six-shooters and broncos.

Noun

bronco m (plural bronchi)

1. (anatomy) bronchus, bronchial tube

Adjective

bronco m (feminine singular bronca, masculine plural broncos, feminine plural broncas, comparable)

1. obtuse (intellectually dull)

   Synonyms: obtuso, parvo

Etymology

From Vulgar Latin bruncus, a cross of broccus and truncus (“trunk”).

Adjective

bronco (feminine singular bronca, masculine plural broncos, feminine plural broncas)

1. harsh, sharp (of a sound)