springillas

Springillas is a term used in Spanish to refer to small springs or springlets. In hydrology and toponymy, a springilla denotes a minor natural spring that feeds a stream, wetland, or irrigation source. The plural form springillas is used when describing multiple such features. The word is typically treated as a diminutive construction, signaling small size or modest flow, though regional usage can vary and precise definitions may differ between dialects and local catalogs.

Etymology and usage are not uniformly fixed across Spanish-speaking regions. The form appears to combine a root related to water sources with the diminutive suffix -illa, yielding a word that conveys “little spring.” Because toponyms often adopt local linguistic patterns, springillas may be found in various places with recognizable springs, even if the exact characteristics of each springilla differ.

Geographic relevance and toponymy are the most common contexts for springillas. In many Spanish-speaking areas, place names incorporating springillas describe landscapes where springs are visible, accessible, or historically important for agriculture, livestock, or early settlement. Such toponyms can designate valleys, hillsides, or small settlements that formed around these water sources.

Other uses are less common. Springillas may occur as a surname or in cultural references, but there are no widely recognized institutions, works, or standard classifications specifically named Springillas.

See also: manantial, fuente, agua, toponymy, suffix -illa.