alcaldesa

mayor (female)

noun ahl-kahl-DEH-sah Rare

Origin: From Arabic al-qāḍī ('the judge'), via alcalde.

Usage Note

Alcaldesa is the feminine form of alcalde; both are the standard titles for the head of a Spanish municipal government. The Arabic origin — through the medieval Iberian borrowing alcalde — is shared with words like alguacil and alcázar. In informal contexts la alcalde is also heard, but alcaldesa is the norm in Spain today.

Examples

"La alcaldesa inauguró el nuevo parque esta mañana."

Natural Translation

The mayor inaugurated the new park this morning.

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