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encomienda

noun
en·​co·​mi·​en·​da | \ (ˌ)enˌkōmēˈendə, -ˌkäm-; ˌenkəmˈyen-\
plural -s

Definition of encomienda

: an estate of land and the inhabiting American Indians formerly granted to Spanish colonists or adventurers in America for purposes of tribute and evangelization — compare repartimiento

History and Etymology for encomienda

Spanish, from encomendar to entrust, from en- en- entry 1 (from Latin in-) + obsolete Spanish comendar to entrust, from Latin commendare

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Spanish Central: Translation of encomienda

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