tambo
tambo Lexical Profile
• noun
A traditional roadside inn, storehouse, or way station in the Andes mountains, originally built by the Inca empire along their extensive road network for military and administrative purposes.
"The royal messengers rested at a stone tambo before continuing their relay across the harsh Andean peaks."
In the Philippines, a soft broom made from the dried stalks of phragmites reeds, typically used for sweeping smooth indoor floors.
"She used a tambo to carefully sweep the dust from the polished hardwood floor of the living room."
Australian A tambourine.
"The lead singer rhythmically struck the tambo against his hip during the band's acoustic set."
• Rhymes for tambo
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Quechua word 'tampu' (meaning inn, lodge, or waystation), which entered English via Spanish. In the context of the Philippine broom, it derives from Tagalog 'tambo', referring to the phragmites reed.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.