Gitana

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A woman belonging to a traditionally nomadic ethnic group, especially in Spain, recognized for unique cultural expressions and lifestyle choices
2. A female individual associated with a specific nomadic heritage known for distinctive music, dance, and community customs
3. A female member of a traditionally itinerant culture, particularly in Spain, noted for her unique artistic traditions and lifestyle practices

Etymology: Spanish speakers call a Romani woman a "gitana" because of a mistaken belief about where her people came from. When Europeans first encountered the Romani, they assumed they had come from Egypt. "Egipciano," meaning Egyptian, was shortened over time to "gitano," and "gitana" is its feminine form. The belief was wrong. Romani is an Indo-Aryan language, which points to origins in the Indian subcontinent. English "gypsy" comes from the same shortening of "Egyptian," and like the Spanish term, it was a name given from outside. Romani communities generally use their own names for themselves.

Synonyms: gypsy, Roma, Romani