Miura

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A surname of Japanese origin often associated with notable figures in various fields
2. Referring to a type of Japanese cattle known for its strength and endurance, commonly used in bullfighting
3. The name of a Japanese automobile manufacturer known for producing high-performance sports cars

Etymology: Miura is the name of a Japanese family, and the word was borrowed from the Japanese 三浦, the surname written with the characters for "three" and "shore" or "bay". The name belongs to the Miura ranch in Spain, the breeder whose fighting bulls gave the word its meaning. The family's bulls became famous in bullfighting circles, and the breed name took its place in English as a label for the large, aggressive bulls raised for the ring. Used in English, the word refers to a specific kind of bull bred for the arena rather than to the family itself. Its surname origin is the reason it looks so unlike the Spanish or Latin terms that usually surround bullfighting. The English usage follows the Spanish practice of naming a fighting bull after its breeder, so the word is a reminder that the ranch's name, not the animal's species, is the source.