bandidos
outlaws, bandits
barrio
a division of a city
bruit
to spread a rumor
brujo
sorcerer
cacao
a small, tropical tree cultivated for its seeds, which are the source of chocolate
calmante
a drug used as a tranquilizer to calm the nerves
ceiba
a silk-cotton tree
cortege
a ceremonial procession
gavilleros
the Dominican word for rural bandits
guayabera
a sport shirt or lightweight jacket
hellion
a disorderly or mischievous person
la bendicion
"the blessing," a way to say goodbye
m'ija
a combination of the words "mi hija," meaning "my daughter"
mantilla
a lace or silk scarf worn over the head and shoulders, often over a high comb
mariposas
butterflies, the nickname of the Mirabal sisters as revolutionaries, since it was Minerva's codename
novios
boyfriends
pastelitos
savory pastries
patriomonio
heritage; patrimony
pega palo
stick glue
sancocho
a traditional Dominican soup
sarampion
measles
tutumpotes
members of the old ruling families
yucca
a plant with sword-shaped leaves and clusters of waxy, white flowers, native to warm regions in America
