el expediente

Word: expediente

Meaning in English: The Spanish word "expediente" generally refers to a file, record, or dossier—a collection of documents or information related to a particular case, subject, or process.

Explanation:

1. Main Meaning:

   • An expediente is a set of documents or papers that contain detailed information related to administrative, legal, academic, or bureaucratic matters. For example, a case file in court, a student’s academic record, or an employee’s personnel files.

2. Extended/Related Meanings:

   • It can also mean a procedure or process (especially administrative or official procedures).
   • Sometimes, it is used in Spanish to refer to a method or way of doing something, colloquially as an "expedient" (though this is less common in formal usage).

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Parts of the Word:

• The root comes from Latin expedire, meaning "to set free," "to make ready."
• "Ex-" means "out of" or "from."
• "Pediente" from verbs relating to preparing or putting in order.

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Synonyms:

• Archivo (archive, file)
• Dossier (dossier)
• Acta (record, minutes, sometimes a specific document)
• Registro (record, registry)
• Documento (document)
• Caso (case, though more general)

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Antonyms:

• There isn’t a direct opposite because expediente is a noun referring to documents or files. But the contrary might be conceptual, like:

  • Desorganización (disorganization, lack of documents or records)
  • Ignorancia (ignorance, lack of information)

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Example Sentences:

• El abogado revisó el expediente del caso antes del juicio.
  (The lawyer reviewed the case file before the trial.)

• Para inscribirte necesitas aportar tu expediente académico.
  (To enroll, you need to provide your academic record.)

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In summary, expediente is primarily an administrative/legal/academic term referring to a formal file or record compiling details/documents about a specific case, person, or matter.