repartimiento

noun

re·​par·​ti·​mi·​en·​to

rə̇ˌpärtəmēˈen‧(ˌ)tō,

ˌrāˌpärtəmˈyen‧-

plural -s

: a grant or distribution formerly made to Spanish colonists or establishments in America

especially : a grant of forced labor (as for use in agriculture, in mining, or in construction) imposed on indigenous inhabitants compare encomienda

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from Spanish, distribution, from repartir to distribute (from re- —from L—+ partir to divide, from Latin partire, partiri) + -miento -ment (from Latin -mentum)

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