melena (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/mɛˈlena/

Translation Options into English

• Mane (of an animal, usually referring to a lion, horse, etc.)
• Long hair (informally)

Meaning and Usage

The word melena primarily refers to the long, flowing hair, often used to describe the mane of a lion or horse. In medicine, "melena" also refers to passage of black, tarry stools indicative of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

In general Spanish usage, melena is more commonly utilized in an informal context to describe someone with long, flowing hair. Its usage may be more prevalent in oral speech, particularly in casual conversation.

Example Sentences

1. La melena de la leona brillaba bajo el sol.

2. The mane of the lioness shone under the sun.

3. Ella tiene una melena tan hermosa que siempre llama la atención.

4. She has such beautiful long hair that it always attracts attention.

5. El médico explicó que la melena es un signo de sangrado en el tracto gastrointestinal.

6. The doctor explained that melena is a sign of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "melena" does not appear in many idiomatic expressions, it can be part of phrases that describe situations involving hair or conditions that involve negligence of one’s appearance. Here are examples involving the term:

Example Idiomatic Expressions

1. Llevar la melena al viento.
2. To let one's hair flow in the wind.

3. This expression suggests a carefree attitude or an embrace of natural beauty.

4. Tener la melena de león.

5. To have a lion's mane.

6. Used to describe someone with voluminous and untamed hair, often implying a bold or fierce character.

7. A veces, una melena descuida refleja una falta de cuidado personal.

8. Sometimes, a messy mane reflects a lack of personal care.
9. This suggests that unkempt hair can indicate neglect in one's appearance.

Etymology

The word melena originates from the Latin "mānea," which means mane. Over time, it adapted to the Spanish language while taking on additional context relating to hair in general.

Synonyms

• Cabellera (head of hair)
• Melenudo (having long hair, often used informally to describe someone with a mane-like appearance)

Antonyms

• Calvo (bald)
• Rapado (shaved/short-haired)

This comprehensive overview provides insights into the word "melena" in both its general and medical contexts, as well as its usage, derivatives, and related expressions in Spanish.