esparto

noun

es·​par·​to i-ˈspär-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce esparto (audio)
plural espartos
1
: either of two Spanish and Algerian grasses (Stipa tenacissima and Lygeum spartum) used especially to make cordage, shoes, and paper

called also esparto grass

2
: the fiber of esparto

Examples of esparto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the 19th century, miners in a cave in Southern Spain unearthed a prehistoric burial site containing some 22 pairs of ancient sandals woven out of esparto (a type of grass). Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 Sep. 2023 The prehistoric items were made from organic materials including wood, reed and esparto, or Stipa tenacissima, a grass crushed to make twine. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Oct. 2023 The study used radiocarbon dating to date 76 items, including baskets and 22 sandals made from esparto, a kind of grass used in crafts across the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa for thousands of years. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 29 Sep. 2023 This Ibiza living room features local-limestone floors covered in custom Spanish esparto rugs from Antonia Molina. Kelsey Mulvey, ELLE Decor, 29 Dec. 2022 In an Ibiza, Spain, home, limestone floors covered in custom Spanish esparto rugs from Antonia Molina, walls in a sandy lime plaster, and a wood-beam ceiling set a rustic tone in the living room. Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 20 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'esparto.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Latin spartum, from Greek sparton — more at spire

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of esparto was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near esparto

Cite this Entry

“Esparto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esparto. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

esparto

noun
es·​par·​to is-ˈpärt-ō How to pronounce esparto (audio)
plural espartos
: either of two Spanish and Algerian grasses from which rope, shoes, baskets, and paper are made

called also esparto grass

More from Merriam-Webster on esparto

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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