parlamentaria

Parlamentaria is the feminine form of the Spanish adjective parlamentario and, when used as a noun, denotes a woman member of a parliament. As an adjective, it designates anything related to a parliament or to parliamentary proceedings, such as sesiones, debates, commissions, and rules of procedure. The term appears in political discourse in Spanish-speaking countries and is frequently found in phrases like actividad parlamentaria, procedimiento parlamentario, comisión parlamentaria, and campaña parlamentaria.

Etymology and cognates: The word derives from the noun parlement (parliament) via the Spanish parlamento; ultimately it traces back to French parlement, from a root meaning to speak, reflecting the historic central role of assemblies as venues for debate. In Spanish the feminine form parlamentaria marks gender; the masculine form is parlamentario and the plural forms are parlamentarios (masculine or mixed) and parlamentarias (feminine).

Usage notes: In contemporary Spanish, parlamentar y parliamentary concepts can be used as both noun and adjective. As a noun, una parlamentaria means a female member of a parliament; as an adjective, frases like actividad parlamentaria and reforma parlamentaria describe matters related to the legislative body. The term’s English equivalent is parliamentary.

See also: Parlamento; Sistema parlementario; Cámara de Diputados/Senado (depending on the country).