Bullfighter

A bullfighter (or matador) is a performer in the activity of bullfighting. ''Torero'' () or ''toureiro'' (), both from Latin ''taurarius'', are the Spanish and Portuguese words for bullfighter, and describe all the performers in the activity of bullfighting as practised in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Peru, France, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and other countries influenced by Portuguese and Spanish culture. The main performer and leader of the entourage in a bullfight, and who finally kills the bull, is addressed as ''maestro'' (master), or with the formal title ''matador de toros'' (killer of bulls). The other bullfighters in the entourage are called ''subalternos'' and their suits are embroidered in silver as opposed to the matador's gold. They include the ''picadores'', ''rejoneadores'', and ''banderilleros''.

Present since the sport's earliest history, the number of women in bullfighting has steadily increased since the late-19 century, both on foot and on horseback. Usually, toreros start fighting younger bulls (''novillos'' or, more informally in some Latin American countries, ''vaquillas''), and are called ''novilleros''. Fighting of mature bulls commences only after a special match, called "the Alternative". At this same bullfight, the ''novillero'' (junior bullfighter) is presented to the crowd as a ''matador de toros''. Provided by Wikipedia