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jennifer rose

Oct 17, 2002, 7:04 PM

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Empedradillo

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Here's the context: A finales del siglo XVII se instalaron en ese solar una serie de tiendas pequeñas comúnmente conocidas como casas del empedradillo, con un activo movimiento comercial.I'm stumped, and I can't find an adequate definition of "empedradillo." Or one which satisfies me more than "living over the store."

Rubén

Oct 17, 2002, 8:01 PM

Post #2 of 8 (1741 views)

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Empedradillo

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Empedrar = To pave with rocks, to make a pavement with rocks, usually in those years it was done with "piedra bola", (small size rounded rocks obtained from river banks). That's the way streets were paved in those years. Sometimes the payments was called, empedradillo, as a diminutive for empedrado. Like; chico — chiquillo, rojo — rojillo, cigarro — cigarrillo, etc.
Ex. El empedrado de la calle quedó muy bien nivelado. El empedradillo de ese callejón aún se conserva en buen estado. Hope this solves your question a little bit. :-)

jennifer rose

Oct 17, 2002, 8:06 PM

Post #3 of 8 (1739 views)

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Empedradillo

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Si, pues. But "casas de empedradillo" would mean "houses of the pavement?"

Rubén

Oct 17, 2002, 8:25 PM

Post #4 of 8 (1733 views)

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Empedradillo

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I might be wrong, but I would interpret it like this, meanning that those houses were in an area probably recently paved called, "el empedradillo", with the sorroundings still without being paved. Or a name that stayed for a reason like that,or more or less like that. Now, if it reads "casa DE empedradillo", it will mean that those houses were built with rock, cantera, or piedra. "Empedrar" comes from the word "piedra"; rock. :-)

brad

Oct 17, 2002, 8:51 PM

Post #5 of 8 (1736 views)

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Empedradillo

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Rubén was correct in his explanation of a "cobblestone" street. I don't know what book the text was taken from but if it deals with Mexico City maybe this will help:Calle del Empedradillo
(ahora Calle Monte de Piedad)El primer nombre que recibió este tramo, a un costado de la catedral fue la Calle de los Cereros. En tiempos del segundo Conde de Revillagigedo se continuó el empedrado de las calles de la capital del reino. La primera fue ésta de ahí que su nombre se cambiara por la Calle del Empedradillo. Después, al establecerse el Monte de Piedad se le volvió a mudar de nombre y se le puso el que todos conocemos.Después de empedrar esta calle se siguió con otras lo que trajo un beneficio notable a la población, pues antes la mugre, el lodo y los malos olores eran lo común en las calles de la capital.: Here's the context: A finales del siglo XVII se instalaron en ese solar una serie de tiendas pequeñas comúnmente conocidas como casas del empedradillo, con un activo movimiento comercial.: I'm stumped, and I can't find an adequate definition of "empedradillo." Or one which satisfies me more than "living over the store."

Oct 18, 2002, 11:36 AM

Post #6 of 8 (1737 views)

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Empedradillo

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: Si, pues. But "casas de empedradillo" would mean "houses of the pavement?"My interpretation: Casa/calles de Pedregales.

Rubén

Oct 18, 2002, 7:34 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1737 views)

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Empedradillo

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Empedrar = to cover with rocks, to pave with rocks,(what ever the type). That's the direct meanning. You can cover a wall with rocks and morter and have a nice good looking house all "empedrada". Casas DE empedradillo, will mean: houses made of small size rocks, or covered with them. Pedregales, are the stony places where you get rocks for different purposes. Please, excuse my English, I wish I knew the verb "empedrar" in English. To..enrocky?

Robert M

Oct 19, 2002, 2:52 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1748 views)

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Empedradillo

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Good job. Very educational. Thank you. Your English is 100%.
I don't believe there is a good translation. The closest would be to cobble or to pave.
Robert M: Empedrar = to cover with rocks, to pave with rocks,(what ever the type). That's the direct meanning. You can cover a wall with rocks and morter and have a nice good looking house all "empedrada". Casas DE empedradillo, will mean: houses made of small size rocks, or covered with them. Pedregales, are the stony places where you get rocks for different purposes. Please, excuse my English, I wish I knew the verb "empedrar" in English. To..enrocky?