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líbero

libero

noun LEE-beh-rroh Rare
Arts & Culture Sports

Origin: From Italian libero (free), via volleyball terminology.

Usage Note

Líbero is a volleyball term for the specialist defensive player who wears a contrasting jersey colour and cannot serve or attack above the net. The accent on the first syllable (LÍbero) is essential — without it libero would shift stress to the second syllable. In Italian football (soccer), the same word historically meant a sweeper, but that usage is rare in Spanish sports journalism.

Examples

"El líbero salvó el punto con una defensa increíble."

Natural Translation

The libero saved the point with an incredible defensive play.

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