Cigarillo

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌsɪɡəˈɹɪloʊ/

Definitions

1. A diminutive and slender type of tobacco product that resembles a smaller cigar, typically rolled with loose tobacco and wrapped in a leaf or paper for smoking enjoyment
2. A smaller variant of a cigar that is often more slender and shorter, designed for quicker smoking experiences with a similar blend of tobacco
3. This type of smoking product is characterized by its reduced size compared to a standard cigar, often rolled from loose tobacco for a brief smoke

Etymology: The Spanish "cigarro" meant "cigar," and adding the diminutive ending "-illo" produced "cigarrillo," literally "little cigar." English borrowed the Spanish form, so the word carries the sense of a small, slim version of its parent word from the start. The "-illo" ending is a common Spanish diminutive, the same kind of suffix found in words like "bandillo" or "novillo," and it shrinks the thing it is attached to rather than changing its substance. The smaller size suited a different kind of smoking. A cigarillo is meant to be finished in a shorter sitting than a full cigar, while still using a similar blend of tobacco. In English the word has stayed tied to that compact, quick-smoke idea, so its meaning comes straight from the Spanish diminutive without any major shift along the way.