cabrilla

noun

ca·​bril·​la kə-ˈbrē-ə How to pronounce cabrilla (audio) -ˈbri-lə How to pronounce cabrilla (audio)
: any of various sea basses (especially of the genus Epinephelus) of the Mediterranean, the California coast, and the warmer parts of the western Atlantic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Mexican Spanish, diminutive of Spanish cabra "goat," going back to Latin capra "she-goat," feminine derivative of caper "he-goat" — more at capriole

First Known Use

circa 1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cabrilla was circa 1839

Rhymes for cabrilla

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Browse Nearby Words

Cabrilho
cabrilla
Cabrillo National Monument
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Cite this Entry

“Cabrilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cabrilla. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Definition revised
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