I. ˈspanish, -nēsh adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Middle English Spainish, Spanish, from Spain, country in southwestern Europe + Middle English -ish
1.
a. : of, relating to, or characteristic of Spain
b. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Spanish people
2. : dominated by Spain or the Spanish
sailed the Spanish Main
3.
a. : of, relating to, or in the Spanish language
b. : of or associated with the literature of Spain
4. : spanish-american
II. noun
( -es ; see sense 2 )
1. capitalized : the Romance language of the largest part of Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards
2. plural in construction , capitalized : the people of Spain
3. also spanish colonial usually capitalized S & sometimes capitalized C : a style of architecture deriving from the missions and ranch houses of the Spanish settlers in the Southwest and Florida