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Usage Note
Colilla is a diminutive of cola ('tail'), describing the small remaining end of a smoked cigarette. It is one of the most commonly littered items in Spanish-speaking cities, and appears frequently in anti-littering campaigns. Do not confuse colilla with coleta ('ponytail') or colegiala ('schoolgirl') — the shared col- root simply reflects Latin cauda ('tail').
Examples
"Tiró la colilla al suelo en plena calle."
Natural Translation
She threw the cigarette butt on the street.
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