/mahr'ee ah"chee/ ; Sp. /mah rddyah"chee/ , adj., n., pl. mariachis /-cheez/ ; Sp. /-chees/ .
adj.
1. pertaining to traditional Mexican dance music, usually played by a small band of strolling musicians dressed in native costumes.
n.
2. a member of such a band.
3. the music played by such a band.
[ 1940-45; mariache, mariachi, perh. mariage MARRIAGE; the music is said to have been played at weddings in the state of Jalisco, where it originated ]