empollar

Word: empollar

Meaning:

1. In colloquial Spanish (especially in Spain), "empollar" means "to study intensively" or "to cram" for an exam.
   This usage is very common among students who need to prepare very concentratedly for tests or assignments. For example, "Tengo que empollar para el examen de mañana" means "I have to cram for tomorrow's exam."

2. In a more literal or original sense, "empollar" means "to incubate" (eggs).
   This refers to birds or other animals sitting on their eggs to keep them warm until they hatch.

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Breakdown of the word:

• Prefix: "em-" is a variant of "en-" used before certain consonants, meaning "to put into" or "to cover."
• Root: "pollar" relates to "polla," which can mean "chick" in more rustic or rural settings.
• Overall, "empollar" literally means "to warm or hatch chicks by sitting on the eggs."

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Synonyms:

• For the study-related meaning:

  • estudiar a fondo (to study thoroughly)
  • quemarse las pestañas (colloquial, "to burn the eyelashes")
  • estar hincando los codos (colloquial, literally "to be digging the elbows" meaning studying hard)

• For the nurturing/incubation meaning:

  • incubar (to incubate)
  • madrear (colloquial, mostly meaning "to hatch," less common)

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Antonyms:

• For the study meaning:

  • distraerse (to get distracted)
  • no estudiar (not to study)

• For the incubation meaning:

  • abandonar (to abandon)

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Usage notes:

• The study meaning is idiomatic and widely used among students.
• The incubation meaning is more technical or biological and less commonly used in everyday conversation.
• In some countries or contexts, "empollar" can simply mean remaining seated on eggs, the literal definition.

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Summary:
Empollar is a Spanish verb meaning "to incubate eggs" in a literal sense, and "to study intensively" in an informal or colloquial context. It denotes careful, concentrated effort, whether warming eggs or focusing on learning.