‖ picador
(ˈpɪkədɔː(r), pɪkəˈdɔː(r))
[Sp., lit. ‘pricker’, f. picar to prick, pierce.]
In a bull-fight, A mounted man, who opens the game by provoking the bull with a lance.
| 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) III. 771/2 The bull..has to contend first against the picadores, combatants on horseback, who, dressed according to the ancient Spanish manner..wait for him, each being armed with a long lance. 1865 F. Sayer in Fortn. Rev. No. 5. 616 Miserable hacks..that a picador would be ashamed to ride in a bull ring. 1892 E. Reeves Homeward Bound 257 The picador prods the bull in the back to weaken him while he is goring the horse. |
b. fig. An agile debater, one who engages in a skirmish of wit.
| 1876 J. Weiss Wit, Hum. & Shaks. iii. 86 Then there is that picador of a clown, who plants in Malvolio's thin skin a perfect quick-set of barbed quips. 1882 Pall Mall G. 22 Dec. 19/1 He steps hither and thither..like a literary picador amid a troop of huge, blundering cattle. |