Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural en·co·mi·en·das [en-koh-mee-en-duh z, -kom-ee-; Spanish eng-kaw-myen-dahs] /ɛnˌkoʊ miˈɛn dəz, -ˌkɒm i-; Spanish ˌɛŋ kɔˈmyɛn dɑs/. (formerly in Spanish America)
- the system, instituted in 1503, under which a Spanish soldier or colonist was granted a tract of land or a village together with its Indian inhabitants.
- the land or village together with its inhabitants.
1810, from Spanish, “commission,” from encomendar “to commit, charge.” Estate granted to a Spaniard in America with powers to tax the Indians.