Castilian

From Castile +‎ -ian as a calque of Spanish castellano (“Of or related to Castile, Spain, or the Spanish language”). Doublet of castellano, castellanus, castellan, and chatelain.

• IPA^(key): /kəˈstɪljən/

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Castilian

1. The Castilian dialect of Spanish, often (especially historically) considered the prestige dialect of Spanish.

   Synonym: Castilian Spanish

2. (inexact, sometimes offensive) Synonym of Spanish, the language of Spain and its former colonies.

Modern English use of Castilian to mean Spanish generally calques that of various Spanish dialects, whose acceptance of castellano in that sense varies widely. It is especially common in Argentinian and Peruvian Spanish and particularly uncommon in Mexican Spanish. It can also be intended to denote proper formal Spanish as opposed to slang, informal, or regional Spanish.

Castilian (plural Castilians)

1. A native of Castile.

Castilian (not comparable)

1. Of, from, or relating to Castile.