sanbenito

noun

san·​be·​ni·​to ˌsan-bə-ˈnē-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce sanbenito (audio)
ˌsam-
plural sanbenitos
1
: a sackcloth coat worn by penitents on being reconciled to the church
2
: a Spanish Inquisition garment resembling a scapular and being either yellow with red crosses for the penitent or black with painted devils and flames for the impenitent condemned to an auto-da-fé

Word History

Etymology

Spanish sambenito, from San Benito St. Benedict of Nursia

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sanbenito was circa 1560

Dictionary Entries Near sanbenito

sanatory

sanbenito

San Benito

Cite this Entry

“Sanbenito.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanbenito. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Geographical Definition

San Benito

geographical name

San Be·​ni·​to ˌsan-bə-ˈnē-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce San Benito (audio)
city in southernmost Texas northwest of Brownsville population 24,250
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