- Spanish
- c.1200, from Spaine "Spain," from Old French Espaigne (see Spaniard). Replaced Old English Speonisc. For Spanish Main see main. Spanish moss is attested from 1823. Spanish fly, the fabled aphrodisiac (ground-up cantharis blister-beetles), is attested from c.1600. Spanish-American War was so called in British press speculations early 1898, even before it began in April. For Spanish Inquisition (by c.1600), see Inquisition.