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

Part of Speech

Mordaza is a feminine noun.

Phonetic Transcription

/morˈðaθa/ (Castilian Spanish)
/morˈdɑzə/ (Latin American Spanish)

Translation Options into English

• Muzzle
• Gag

Meaning and Usage

The term mordaza refers primarily to a device used to prevent a person from speaking, often used in the context of restraint. It can also metaphorically signify the suppression of expression or opinion in both social and political contexts.

In everyday use, mordaza can be encountered in conversations about freedom of speech, censorship, and situations where someone is being silenced. Its frequency of use may vary, but it tends to be more common in written contexts, particularly in literature and journalistic articles discussing issues of expression, rather than in casual oral speech.

Example Sentences

1. La policía utilizó una mordaza para evitar que el sospechoso gritara.
   The police used a gag to prevent the suspect from shouting.

2. La mordaza impuesta por el régimen ha silenciado muchas voces críticas.
   The gag imposed by the regime has silenced many critical voices.

3. En la reunión, sentimos que había una mordaza que limitaba nuestras opiniones.
   In the meeting, we felt that there was a gag limiting our opinions.

Idiomatic Expressions

While mordaza is not frequently used in idiomatic expressions, it can create impactful meanings in certain contexts:

1. Poner una mordaza (a alguien)
   "El gobierno decidió poner una mordaza a los medios de comunicación."
   The government decided to put a gag on the media.

2. Hablar con mordaza
   "A veces, hay que hablar con mordaza para que no malinterpreten tus palabras."
   Sometimes, you have to speak with restraint so that your words aren't misinterpreted.

3. Sin mordaza
   "En esta comunidad, se puede opinar sin mordaza."
   In this community, one can express opinions without restraint.

Etymology

The word mordaza originates from the Latin word mordacium, which means a "thing that bites". The concept evolved into its modern use, encompassing both the physical gag and the metaphorical restraint of expression.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Gag (in both physical and metaphorical senses) - Silencio (silence, in a metaphorical context)

Antonyms: - Libertad de expresión (freedom of expression) - La palabra (the word, relating to speech)

The nuanced meaning of mordaza embodies the tension between communication and restraint, whether in social commentary or personal interactions.