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there are financial interests involved

  • 1 interés

    m.
    1 interest, concernment, regard, interestedness.
    2 interest, yield.
    * * *
    1 (gen) interest; (propio) self-interest
    2 FINANZAS interest
    \
    de gran interés very interesting
    ir en interés de to be in the interests of
    poner interés en algo to take an interest in something, put effort into something
    tener interés en to be interested in
    interés compuesto compound interest
    interés simple simple interest
    intereses creados vested interests
    * * *
    noun m.
    * * *
    SM
    1) (=valor) interest
    2) (=curiosidad) interest

    el tema despertó o suscitó el interés del público — the topic aroused public interest

    • esperar algo con interés — to await sth with interest

    • mostrar interés en o por algo — to show (an) interest in sth

    • poner interés en algo — to take an interest in sth

    • sentir o tener interés por algo — to be interested in sth

    si tienes interés por el piso, todavía está a la venta — if you're interested in the flat, it's still for sale

    siento auténtico interés por los idiomas — I have a real interest o I am really interested in languages

    sentir o tener interés por hacer algo — to be interested in doing sth

    3) (=beneficio)
    a) [de persona, país] interest

    ¿qué interés tienes tú en que pierdan el partido? — what's your interest in their losing the match?

    b) (Econ) interest

    un préstamo a o con un interés del 9 por ciento — a loan at 9 per cent interest

    • dar interés — [capital, inversión] to yield interest; [banco, cuenta] to pay interest

    mi capital me da un interés del 5,3 por ciento — my capital yields an interest of 5.3 per cent

    • devengar interés — to accrue interest, earn interest

    • tasa LAm o tipo de interés — interest rate

    interés devengado — accrued interest, earned interest

    4) pl intereses
    a) (Com) interests

    • un conflicto de intereses — a conflict of interests

    • tener intereses en algo — to have interests o a stake in sth

    tiene intereses en varias compañías extranjeras — he has interests o a stake in several foreign companies

    b) (=aficiones) interests

    ¿qué intereses tienes? — what are your interests?

    * * *
    1)
    a) (importancia, valor) interest
    b) ( actitud) interest

    tengo especial interés en que... — I am particularly concerned o keen that...

    c) (afición, inquietud) interest
    2)
    a) (conveniencia, beneficio) interest

    por tu propio interés — in your own interest, for your own good

    b) intereses masculino plural ( objetivos) interests (pl)
    c) intereses masculino plural (bienes, capital)

    tiene intereses en esa empresa — he has a stake o an interest in that company

    3) (Fin) interest

    a or con un interés del 12% — at 12% interest o at an interest rate of 12%

    •
    * * *
    1)
    a) (importancia, valor) interest
    b) ( actitud) interest

    tengo especial interés en que... — I am particularly concerned o keen that...

    c) (afición, inquietud) interest
    2)
    a) (conveniencia, beneficio) interest

    por tu propio interés — in your own interest, for your own good

    b) intereses masculino plural ( objetivos) interests (pl)
    c) intereses masculino plural (bienes, capital)

    tiene intereses en esa empresa — he has a stake o an interest in that company

    3) (Fin) interest

    a or con un interés del 12% — at 12% interest o at an interest rate of 12%

    •
    * * *
    interés1
    1 = appeal, appetite, concern, focus, involvement, interest, knowledge interest, piquancy, penchant, pursuit, topicality.

    Ex: Indeed, if they are not successful in finding ways of renewing their original purpose and appeal, they are on their way to dissolution and displacement.

    Ex: We need to know what and how consumers' information appetites have changed.
    Ex: The use of agents is necessary but not ideal, because an agent often represents rival concerns, and aims for a quick turnover rather than long-term profitability.
    Ex: Our focus in this text is on the first stage in the following diagram.
    Ex: Clearly, anyone having any dealings at all with the CAP needs a general understanding of how the system works, at a level which is appropriate to their involvement.
    Ex: An abstracting bulletin is generally a weekly or monthly current-awareness service containing abstracts of all documents of interest that have passed into the library or information unit during that time.
    Ex: Phenomenography is an approach that builds on phenomenological and hermeneutic traditions; its knowledge interest is to describe the varying conceptions held within a specific group about a phenomenon = La fenomenografía es un método que parte de las tradicionaes fenomenológicas y hermenéuticas; su interés es describir las diversas concepciones que un grupo concreto tiene sobre un fenómeno.
    Ex: Young was a man of singular eccentricity and piquancy of character, a person who was very interesting in his own right.
    Ex: Our penchant to organize is perhaps as close to a biological imperative as any form of human behavior is likely to come.
    Ex: What is more arguable is whether or not it is a bibliographical pursuit at all since it bears little relationship to the physical nature of the book.
    Ex: This year, the event is gaining topicality because of the EU enlargement.
    * actuar en defensa de los intereses de las bibliotecas y bibliotec = library advocacy.
    * adaptarse a un interés = accommodate + interest.
    * ámbito de interés = sphere of interest.
    * ampliar el interés = broaden + interest.
    * aprovecharse del interés general por Algo = exploit + appeal.
    * área de interés = field of interest.
    * atraer el interés = capture + the imagination, capture + the interest, draw + interest.
    * atraer el interés de = catch + the imagination of.
    * caer fuera del interés de = lie outside + the scope of.
    * caer fuera del interés de uno = fall outside + Posesivo + interest.
    * campo de interés = sphere of interest.
    * captar el interés = capture + the imagination, capture + the interest.
    * captar el interés de = catch + the imagination of.
    * coincidir con los intereses de uno = match + interests.
    * combinar intereses = bridge + interests.
    * conflicto de intereses = conflict of interest(s), competing interests.
    * con intereses ocultos = agenda-laden.
    * con intereses propios = self-interested.
    * conjunto de intereses = set of interests.
    * Consejo Internacional de Museos y Lugares de Interés (ICOMS) = International Council of Museums and Sites (ICOMOS).
    * constatar el interés = gauge + interest.
    * con un interés en = with a stake in.
    * crear interés = build + interest.
    * dar interés = spice up, add + spice.
    * debate por tema de interés = breakout discussion.
    * defender los intereses = defend + interests, lobby for + interests.
    * defender los intereses de = go to + bat for, bat for.
    * defensa de intereses = lobbying.
    * defensa de los intereses de las bibliotecas y bibliotecarios = library advocacy.
    * defensor de los intereses del ciudadano = watchdog.
    * de interés especial = of particular concern, special-interest.
    * de intereses similares = of like interest.
    * de interés general = general-interest, of general interest.
    * de interés humano = human interest.
    * de interés periodístico = newsworthy.
    * despertar el interés = provoke + interest, stimulate + interest, stir + interest, whet + the appetite, heighten + interest, rouse + interest, capture + the imagination, capture + the interest, work up + an interest, pique + interest.
    * despertar el interés de = catch + the imagination of.
    * despertar interés = arouse + interest, attract + interest, raise + interest, spark + interest.
    * despertar interés por = kindle + interest in.
    * destinado a despertar el interés del usuario = highlight abstract.
    * dirigir los intereses de uno = break into.
    * el interés público = the public interest.
    * en interés de = in the interest(s) of.
    * esperar con interés (+ Infinitivo), = look forward to (+ Gerundio).
    * estar fuera del interés = lie outside + the scope of.
    * estar fuera del interés de uno = lie beyond + concern.
    * expresión de interés = application.
    * falta de interés por cooperar = unresponsiveness.
    * foco de interés = focus of interest, focus of concern, focus of attention.
    * fomentar el interés = raise + interest, foster + interest, foster + interest.
    * fomentar interés = build + interest.
    * generar interés = generate + interest.
    * grupo de interés = focus group, interest group.
    * grupo de trabajo por tema de interés = breakout group.
    * guiado por intereses propios = interest-determined.
    * hacer que pierda el interés = take + the shine off things.
    * institución de interés histórico = heritage institution.
    * institución de interés histórico y cultural = cultural heritage institution.
    * interés cada vez mayor = growing interest.
    * interés + centrarse en = interest + lie with.
    * interés comercial = business interest, commercial interest.
    * interés común = shared interest.
    * interés creado = vested interest.
    * interés + decaer = interest + flag.
    * interés económico = economic interest.
    * intereses = breadth of interests.
    * intereses comerciales = market forces, marketplace forces.
    * intereses comunes = common ground, community of interest.
    * intereses contrapuestos = conflicting interests.
    * intereses cotidianos = life interests.
    * intereses de lectura = reading interests.
    * intereses encontrados = competing interests.
    * intereses ocultos = hidden agenda.
    * interés general = public interest.
    * interés pasajero = passing interest.
    * interés periodístico = newsworthiness.
    * interés personal = vested interest, self-interest, axe + to grind, personal interest.
    * interés por ganar dinero = profit motive.
    * interés por los libros = awareness of books.
    * interés público = public interest.
    * interés renovado = renewed interest.
    * ir en detrimento de los intereses = prejudice + interests.
    * lleno de interés = solicitously.
    * lugar de interés = attraction, sight.
    * lugares de interés = sights.
    * mantener el interés = hold + the interest.
    * mantener un interés = pursue + interest.
    * material documental de interés para los vecinos del barrio = community literature.
    * máximo interés = maximum interest.
    * mostrar interés = mark + interest.
    * mostrar interés en = show + interest in.
    * mostrar interés por = express + interest in.
    * motivado por intereses propios = interest-based.
    * mucho interés = keen interest.
    * muestra de interés = expression of interest.
    * no tener ningún interés = can't/couldn't be bothered.
    * noticias diarias de interés = daily news alerts.
    * objeto de interés = object of interest.
    * ordenación topográfica según los intereses del lector = reader interest arrangement.
    * para personas con intereses similares = birds-of-a-feather.
    * perder el interés = pall.
    * perder interés = lapse, lose + interest.
    * perfil de interés = subject interest.
    * perfil de interés del usuario = subject profile, user interest profile.
    * perjudicar los intereses = prejudice + interests.
    * por interés = out of interest.
    * por interés personal = self-interested.
    * profundizar el interés = deepen + interest.
    * promover un interés = promote + interest.
    * proyección de cuestiones de interés = issues management.
    * punto de interés = point of interest.
    * quitar el interés = take + the shine off things.
    * renovado interés = upsurge.
    * resumen de interés = highlight abstract.
    * reunión por temas de interés = breakout session.
    * según los intereses personales de cada uno = interest-based.
    * ser de interés para = be of interest (to/for).
    * servir los intereses = serve + interests.
    * sesión por tema de interés = breakout session.
    * sin interés = unexciting, uninteresting, unmoving, vapid.
    * tarea falta de interés = chore.
    * tema de interés = area of concern, area of enquiry [area of inquiry], area of interest, focus area, issue of concern, topic of interest.
    * temas de interés de los usuarios = user interests.
    * temas de interés particular = particular concerns.
    * tenemos intereses en ambas partes = our feet are in both worlds.
    * tener intereses en juego = have + invested.
    * tener interés por = have + an interest in.
    * tener interés por = be interested in.
    * tener mucho interés en = have + a high stake in.
    * tener mucho interés por = be keen to.
    * tener un interés muy personal en = have + a stake in, hold + a stake in.
    * tomarse interés por = take + an interest in.

    interés2
    2 = interest, rate, interest charge.

    Ex: Repayments is normally by equal half-yearly payments of capital and interest after a moratorium on capital repayments of up to five years, depending on project completion date.

    Ex: The EIB is able to borrow money at the best possible rates, and as it is non-profit making it is able to offer loans at advantageous terms.
    Ex: And, most importantly, even if a company makes a loss, it still has to pay its interest charges.
    * interés bancario = interest rate.
    * interés compuesto = compound interest.
    * intereses del capital = capital charges.
    * interés fijo = fixed interest.
    * interés simple = simple interest.
    * pago de los intereses = interest payment.
    * recorte de los tipos de interés = rate cut, interest-rate cut.
    * reducción de los tipos de interés = rate cut, interest-rate cut.
    * subida de los tipos de interés = rate increase, interest-rate increase.
    * tipo de interés base = base rate, prime rate.
    * tipo de interés preferente = base rate, prime rate.

    * * *
    A
    1 (importancia, valor) interest
    de interés turístico of interest to tourists
    un tema de interés humano a human interest story
    un descubrimiento de enorme interés científico a discovery of enormous scientific significance o importance
    una anécdota sin ningún interés an anecdote of little or no interest
    2 (actitud) interest
    el anuncio despertó or suscitó el interés de todos the advertisement aroused everyone's interest
    con gran interés with great interest
    interés EN algo interest IN sth
    pon más interés en tus estudios take more interest in your schoolwork
    tengo especial interés en que esto se resuelva pronto I am particularly concerned o keen that this should be resolved quickly
    tienen gran interés en probarlo they are very interested in testing it
    3 (afición, inquietud) interest
    la fotografía se cuenta entre sus muchos intereses photography is one of her many interests
    B
    1 (conveniencia, beneficio) interest
    por tu propio interés in your own interest, for your own good o benefit
    las mejoras van en interés de todos the improvements are in everyone's interest
    actúa sólo por interés he acts purely out of self-interest o in his own interest
    2 intereses mpl (objetivos) interests (pl)
    había un conflicto de intereses there was a conflict of interests
    (bienes, capital): tiene intereses en varias empresas he has a stake o an interest in several companies
    un contable administra sus intereses an accountant looks after her investments
    Compuestos:
    mpl vested interests (pl)
    mpl private interests (pl)
    el interés público the public interest
    C ( Fin) interest
    un préstamo a or con un interés del 12% a loan at 12% interest o at an interest rate of 12%
    pagan unos intereses muy altos or un interés muy alto they pay very high interest o very high rates of interest
    devengar or ganar intereses to earn interest
    tipo de interés rate of interest
    Compuestos:
    compound interest
    simple interest
    * * *

     

    interés sustantivo masculino
    1 ( en general) interest;

    pon más interés en tus estudios take more interest in your schoolwork;
    tengo especial interés en que … I am particularly concerned o keen that …;
    tienen gran interés en verlo they are very interested in seeing it;
    por tu propio interés in your own interest, for your own good;
    actúa solo por interés he acts purely in his own interest o out of self-interest;
    conflicto de intereses conflict of interests
    2 (Fin) interest;
    a or con un interés del 12% at 12% interest o at an interest rate of 12%;

    tipo de interés rate of interest
    interés sustantivo masculino
    1 (curiosidad) interest: tienes que poner más interés en ello, you must take more interest in it
    tengo interés en/por viajar a Perú, I'm interested in travelling to Peru
    2 (importancia) esta película carece de interés, this movie lacks interest
    no ha sucedido nada de interés, nothing interesting has happened
    3 (provecho personal) self-interest: te llama solo por interés, he phones you out of self-interest
    (provecho, bien) in the interest of: lo haré en interés tuyo, I shall do it for your own good
    en interés de la ciencia, for the sake of science
    4 Fin interest
    con un interés del 15%, at an interest rate of 15%
    tipos de interés, interest rates
    ♦ Locuciones: perder el interés, to lose interest
    con intereses, (con creces, más de lo que se recibió) with interest
    ' interés' also found in these entries:
    Spanish:
    amorfa
    - amorfo
    - candente
    - captar
    - carente
    - comodidad
    - común
    - conveniencia
    - dar
    - decir
    - deducirse
    - desgana
    - desganada
    - desganado
    - despertarse
    - desvivirse
    - devengar
    - entregarse
    - flojedad
    - hinchar
    - hipotecaria
    - hipotecario
    - importar
    - inquietud
    - interesar
    - interesada
    - interesado
    - lengua
    - llamar
    - menguante
    - morbosa
    - morboso
    - pasar
    - polarizar
    - revelar
    - solicitud
    - tinta
    - tipo
    - ver
    - abusivo
    - acaparar
    - anecdótico
    - anual
    - aparentar
    - aparente
    - apreciar
    - atractivo
    - atraer
    - auténtico
    - baja
    English:
    accrue
    - active
    - ax
    - axe
    - bear
    - benefit
    - capture
    - conflicting
    - deep
    - demolish
    - develop
    - fire
    - flag
    - flat
    - fluctuate
    - foster
    - interest
    - interest rate
    - keen
    - keenly
    - lack
    - lending
    - LIBOR
    - pall
    - pay
    - prime rate
    - really
    - reduction
    - revive
    - rising
    - self-interest
    - send down
    - show
    - sight
    - simple interest
    - stake
    - stimulate
    - sustain
    - vested
    - wane
    - yield
    - bank
    - concern
    - fixed
    - memorabilia
    - pique
    - purpose
    - rate
    - revival
    - secondary
    * * *
    1. [utilidad, valor] interest;
    de interés interesting;
    un descubrimiento de gran interés para los enfermos de sida a discovery of great signifiance to people with AIDS;
    una construcción de interés histórico a building of historical interest
    2. [curiosidad] interest;
    un tema de interés común a subject of interest to everyone;
    el hallazgo ha despertado el interés de los científicos the discovery has aroused scientists' interest;
    tener interés en o [m5] por to be interested in;
    tengo interés por recorrer el centro de la ciudad I'm interested in doing a tour of the town centre;
    sigo con interés la polémica I'm following the debate with interest
    3. [esfuerzo] interest;
    trabajó con mucho interés en el proyecto she was an enthusiastic worker on the project;
    poner interés en algo to take a real interest in sth;
    tienes que poner más interés en los estudios you must show a bit more interest in your schoolwork
    4. [conveniencia, provecho] interest;
    una obra de interés general o [m5] público a construction project that is in everyone's o the public interest;
    hacer algo por el interés de alguien, hacer algo en interés de alguien to do sth in sb's interest;
    tengo interés en que venga pronto it's in my interest that he should come soon;
    a todos nos mueve un interés común we are all motivated by a common interest
    5. [egoísmo] self-interest, selfishness;
    por interés out of selfishness;
    casarse por (el) interés to marry for money
    intereses creados vested interests
    6.
    intereses [aficiones] interests;
    entre sus intereses se cuentan el golf y la vela his interests include golf and sailing
    7.
    intereses [económicos] interests;
    los intereses españoles en Latinoamérica Spanish interests in Latin America;
    tiene intereses en una empresa del sector he has interests o a stake in a company in that sector;
    su hermana administra sus intereses her sister looks after her financial interests
    8. Fin interest;
    un préstamo con un interés del 5 por ciento a loan at 5 percent interest;
    interés a corto/largo plazo short-/long-term interest;
    tipo o [m5] tasa de interés interest rate
    interés acumulable cumulative interest;
    interés compuesto compound interest;
    intereses de demora penalty interest [for late payment];
    interés devengado accrued o earned interest;
    interés interbancario interbank deposit rate;
    interés de mora penalty interest [for late payment];
    interés preferencial preferential interest rate;
    interés simple simple interest;
    intereses vencidos interest due
    * * *
    m
    1 interest
    2 COM interest;
    sin interés interest free
    self-interest
    4
    :
    intereses pl ( bienes) interests
    * * *
    interés nm, pl - reses : interest
    * * *
    interés n interest
    en esta cuenta obtendrás un interés del 5% you'll get 5% interest from this account
    tener interés en/por hacer algo to be keen to do something

    Spanish-English dictionary > interés

  • 2 medio

    adj.
    1 half a, half, half an, mid.
    2 average.
    3 half-way, halfway.
    4 one-half.
    adv.
    half-way, half, kind of, partially.
    m.
    1 means, manner, mode, way.
    2 center, midway, midst.
    3 medium, instrument, means.
    4 environment.
    5 halfback.
    6 medium.
    pres.indicat.
    1st person singular (yo) present indicative of spanish verb: mediar.
    * * *
    1 (mitad) half
    2 (intermedio) middle
    3 (de promedio) average
    ■ una velocidad media de... an average speed of...
    1 half
    ■ medio terminado,-a half-finished
    1 (mitad) half
    2 (centro) middle
    3 (contexto - físico) environment
    4 (social) circle
    1 (recursos) means
    \
    equivocarse de medio a medio to get it all wrong
    estar (todo) por el medio to be in the way
    ponerse en medio to get in the way
    por medio de through, by means of
    por todos los medios by all means
    quitar algo/alguien de en medio to get something/somebody out of the way
    media aritmética arithmetic mean
    medio ambiente environment
    medio fondo middle-distance
    medios de transporte means of transport
    ————————
    1 (mitad) half
    2 (centro) middle
    3 (contexto - físico) environment
    4 (social) circle
    * * *
    1. (f. - media)
    adj.
    2) half
    2. adv.
    1) half
    3. noun m.
    •
    * * *
    1. ADJ
    1) (=la mitad de) half

    media pensión — [en hotel] half-board

    • media hora — half an hour

    • media luna — (Astron) half-moon

    la Media Luna — [en el Islam] the Crescent

    asta, luz 1), mundo 2), naranja 1., 3), palabra 1), voz 1), vuelta 1)
    2) (=intermedio)

    • a medio camino, estamos a medio camino — we're halfway there

    plazo
    3) (=promedio) average
    término 2)
    4) (=normal) average
    5)

    • a medias, lo dejó hecho a medias — he left it half-done

    lo pagamos a medias — we share o split the cost

    2. ADV
    1) [con adjetivo] half

    es medio tonto — he's not very bright, he's a bit on the slow side

    2) [con verbo, adverbio]

    está a medio escribir/terminar — it is half-written/finished

    3) LAm (=bastante) rather, quite, pretty *
    3. SM
    1) (=centro) middle, centre, center (EEUU)

    • de en medio, la casa de en medio — the middle house

    • de por medio, hay droga de por medio — drugs are involved

    día (de) por medio — LAm every other day

    • en medio, iba a besarla, pero él se puso en medio — I was going to kiss her, but he got between us

    • por medio de, pasar por medio de — to go through (the middle of)

    de medio a medio —

    2) (Dep) midfielder

    medio apertura — (Rugby) fly-half

    medio (de) melé — (Rugby) scrum-half

    3) (=método) means pl, way

    no hay medio de conseguirlo — there is no way of getting it, it's impossible to get

    poner todos los medios para hacer algo, no regatear medios para hacer algo — to spare no effort to do sth

    • por medio de, se mueve por medio de poleas — it moves by means of o using a pulley system

    respira por medio de las agallas — it breathes through o using o by means of its gills

    4) pl los medios (tb: los medios de comunicación ó difusión) the media
    5) pl medios (=recursos) means, resources
    6) (Bio) (tb: medio ambiente) environment
    7) (=círculo) circle
    * * *
    I
    - dia adjetivo

    medio litro — half a liter, a half-liter

    media hora — half an hour, a half hour (AmE)

    a media mañana/tarde dio un paseo — he went for a mid-morning/mid-afternoon stroll

    2) (mediano, promedio) average

    el ciudadano/mexicano medio — the average citizen/Mexican

    II
    adverbio half

    está medio loca/dormida — she's half crazy/asleep

    III
    1) (Mat) ( mitad) half
    2)
    a) ( centro) middle

    el asiento de en or del medio — the middle seat, the seat in the middle

    quitarse de en or del medio — to get out of the way

    quitar a alguien de en medio — (euf) to bump somebody off (colloq)

    b) los medios masculino plural (Taur) center* ( of the ring)
    3)
    a) (recurso, manera) means (pl)

    no hay medio de localizarlo — there's no way o means of locating him

    b) (Art) ( vehículo) tb
    c) medios masculino plural ( recursos económicos) tb

    medios económicos — means (pl), resources (pl)

    de por medio: no puedo dejarlo, están los niños de por medio I can't leave him, there are the children to think of; hay intereses creados de por medio there are vested interests involved; había un árbol de por medio there was a tree in the way; en medio de: en medio de tanta gente (in) among so many people; cómo puedes trabajar en medio de este desorden how can you work in all this mess; en medio de la confusión in o amid all the confusion; en medio de todo all things considered; por medio (CS, Per): día/semana por medio every other day/week; dos o tres casas por medio every two or three houses; por medio de by means of; se comunicaban por medio de este sistema they communicated by means of this system; por medio de tu primo from o through your cousin; de medio a medio: te equivocas de medio a medio you're completely wrong; le acertó de medio a medio — she was absolutely right

    5)
    a) (círculo, ámbito)

    en medios literarios/políticos — in literary/political circles

    en medios bien informados se comenta que... — informed opinion has it that...

    b) (Biol) environment
    •
    * * *
    I
    - dia adjetivo

    medio litro — half a liter, a half-liter

    media hora — half an hour, a half hour (AmE)

    a media mañana/tarde dio un paseo — he went for a mid-morning/mid-afternoon stroll

    2) (mediano, promedio) average

    el ciudadano/mexicano medio — the average citizen/Mexican

    II
    adverbio half

    está medio loca/dormida — she's half crazy/asleep

    III
    1) (Mat) ( mitad) half
    2)
    a) ( centro) middle

    el asiento de en or del medio — the middle seat, the seat in the middle

    quitarse de en or del medio — to get out of the way

    quitar a alguien de en medio — (euf) to bump somebody off (colloq)

    b) los medios masculino plural (Taur) center* ( of the ring)
    3)
    a) (recurso, manera) means (pl)

    no hay medio de localizarlo — there's no way o means of locating him

    b) (Art) ( vehículo) tb
    c) medios masculino plural ( recursos económicos) tb

    medios económicos — means (pl), resources (pl)

    de por medio: no puedo dejarlo, están los niños de por medio I can't leave him, there are the children to think of; hay intereses creados de por medio there are vested interests involved; había un árbol de por medio there was a tree in the way; en medio de: en medio de tanta gente (in) among so many people; cómo puedes trabajar en medio de este desorden how can you work in all this mess; en medio de la confusión in o amid all the confusion; en medio de todo all things considered; por medio (CS, Per): día/semana por medio every other day/week; dos o tres casas por medio every two or three houses; por medio de by means of; se comunicaban por medio de este sistema they communicated by means of this system; por medio de tu primo from o through your cousin; de medio a medio: te equivocas de medio a medio you're completely wrong; le acertó de medio a medio — she was absolutely right

    5)
    a) (círculo, ámbito)

    en medios literarios/políticos — in literary/political circles

    en medios bien informados se comenta que... — informed opinion has it that...

    b) (Biol) environment
    •
    * * *
    medio1
    = middle, one-half (1/2).

    Ex: The purpose of the insert key is to allow the insertion of one or more characters in the middle of a field without disturbing the information already displayed.

    Ex: The output of paperbacks accounted for one-third of the total US book production by 1962; nearly one-half of the fiction produced and a quarter of the available titles.
    * Alta Edad Media, la = Early Middle Ages, the, High Middle Ages, the, Dark Ages, the.
    * a media asta = at half-mast, at half staff.
    * a media mañana = mid-morning.
    * a medias entre... y... = betwixt and between.
    * a medio abrir = half-opened.
    * a medio camino = halfway [half-way/half way].
    * a medio comprender = half-understood.
    * a medio formar = half-formed.
    * a medio fuego = medium heat.
    * a medio hacer = halfway done, half done.
    * a medio plazo = near-term, in the medium term, medium-term, in the mid-term, mid-term [midterm].
    * a medio rimar = half-rhymed.
    * a medio vestir = partly dressed, half dressed.
    * arco de medio punto = round arch.
    * baja Edad Media, la = late Middle Ages, the.
    * barba de media tarde = five o'clock shadow.
    * clase media = middle class.
    * cocer a medias = parboil.
    * comprendido a medias = half-understood.
    * dar media vuelta = do + an about-face.
    * darse media vuelta = turn on + Posesivo + heel.
    * de la edad media = dark-age.
    * del medio = middle.
    * del Medio Oriente = Middle Eastern.
    * de media jornada = half-day [half day].
    * de media mañana = mid-morning.
    * de medio día de duración = half-day [half day].
    * de medio pelo = small-time.
    * de talla media = middle-sized.
    * dividir por medio = rend in + two.
    * Edad Media = mediaeval ages [medieval ages, -USA], Middle Ages.
    * edición media = medium edition.
    * en el nivel medio de = in the middle range of.
    * en medio de = amidst, in the midst of, in the throes of, right in, amid.
    * entender a medias = pick up + the fag-ends.
    * enterarse a medias = pick up + the fag-ends.
    * entre medias = in between.
    * estar a medio camino entre... y... = lie + midway between... and....
    * estar en medio de = caught in the middle.
    * estar justo en medio de = stand + squarely in.
    * foto de medio cuerpo = mugshot [mug shot].
    * haber dinero de por medio = money + change hands.
    * haber una transacción económica de por medio = money + change hands.
    * habitante del Medio Oriente = Middle Easterner.
    * histeria a medias = semi-hysteria.
    * Hora + y media = half past + Hora.
    * IME (Integración a Media Escala) = MSI (Medium Scale Integration).
    * justo en el medio (de) = plumb in the middle (of).
    * letra rota o a medio imprimir = broken letter.
    * línea de medio campo = halfway line.
    * media docena = half a dozen, half-dozen.
    * media hora = half-hour.
    * Media Luna Roja, la = Red Crescent, the.
    * media luz = half-light.
    * media pensión = half board.
    * media tinta = Mezzotint.
    * media verdad = half truth, half-fact.
    * media vuelta = about-face.
    * medio abierto = half-opened, half-way open.
    * medio administrativo = quasi-clerical.
    * medio adormilado = bleary-eyed.
    * medio despierto = drowsily, groggily, bleary-eyed.
    * medio día = one-half day.
    * medio dormido = drowsily, groggily, groggy [groggier -comp., groggiest -sup.].
    * medio en broma = tongue-in-cheek.
    * medio + Expresión Temporal = half + a + Expresión Temporal.
    * medio hecho = halfway done, half done.
    * Medio Oeste, el = Midwest, the.
    * Medio Oriente = Middle East.
    * medio pliego = half-sheet.
    * medio sumergido = half-submerged.
    * medio vacío = half-empty.
    * medio vestido = partly dressed, half dressed.
    * nacido en medio = middleborn.
    * nivel medio de gestión = middle management.
    * pantalones de media caña = knee breeches, jodhpurs.
    * partir por medio = rend in + two.
    * Pasado = half + Pasado/Participio.
    * ponerse en medio = get in + the way (of).
    * Posesivo + media naranja = Posesivo + significant other, Posesivo + better half, Posesivo + other half.
    * punto medio = mid-point.
    * quedarse a medias = fall (between/through) + the cracks.
    * quitarse de en medio = take + Nombre + out.
    * quitarse del medio = run for + cover.
    * sin obstáculos de por medio = uncluttered.
    * tener un problema medio resuelto = have + problem half licked.
    * tentempié de media mañana = elevenses.
    * un día y medio = one and a half days.
    * verdad a medias = half truth, half-fact.
    * verse en medio de = caught in the middle.

    medio2
    2 = average, mainline, mainstream.

    Ex: The average family does have very real information needs, even though these may not be immediately recognized as such.

    Ex: This is 'scientific journalism' at its worst, but its standards are not wholly different from those of the mainline press.
    Ex: Some children may be constrained by a mainstream curriculum that does not match their ability level.
    * ciudadano medio, el = average man, the.
    * como término medio = on average.
    * de nivel cultural medio = middlebrow [middle-brow].
    * de nivel medio = medium level [medium-level], middle-range.
    * de precio medio = medium-priced.
    * de talle medio = medium-length.
    * de tamaño medio = medium-sized, mid-sized [midsized], middle-sized, mid-size [midsize].
    * de tipo medio = middle-range.
    * el ciudadano medio = the average Joe.
    * hombre medio, el = average person, the.
    * la ciudadana media = the average Jane.
    * nivel de dominio medio = working knowledge.
    * persona con nivel cultural medio = middlebrow [middle-brow].
    * por término medio = on average.
    * precio medio = average price.
    * tener por término medio = average.
    * término medio = compromise, balance.
    * valor medio = midrange, mean value.

    medio3
    3 = instrumentality, means, vehicle.

    Ex: But there are signs of a change as new and powerful instrumentalities come into use.

    Ex: The easiest means of illustrating some of the foregoing points is to introduce in outline some special classification schemes.
    Ex: This journal serves as a vehicle for the continuing education of librarians, as a showcase for current practice and as a spotlight for significant activities.
    * alfabetización en los medios de comunicación = media literacy.
    * anuncios en los medios de comunicación = media releases.
    * aprendizaje a través de medios electrónicos = online learning.
    * aprendizaje por medio del ordenador = computer-based learning (CBL).
    * bibliotecario de medios audiovisuales = library media specialist.
    * bien dotado de medios = well-resourced.
    * bien equipado de medios = well-resourced.
    * búsqueda por medio de menús = menu-assisted searching.
    * búsqueda por medio de órdenes = command search.
    * codificación por medio de códigos de barras = barcoding [bar-coding].
    * codificar por medio de códigos de barras = barcode [bar-code].
    * conducir por medio de tubos = duct.
    * confundir los medios con el fin = confuse + the means with the ends.
    * con medios insuficientes = on a shoestring (budget).
    * con medios muy escasos = on a shoestring (budget).
    * con medios muy exiguos = on a shoestring (budget).
    * con muy pocos medios = on a shoestring (budget).
    * con todos los medios a + Posesivo + alcance = with all the means at + Posesivo + disposal.
    * desplazamiento por medio del ordenador = computer commuting.
    * documentalista de los medios de comunicación = news librarian.
    * dotar de medios = resource.
    * el fin justifica los medios = the end justifies the means.
    * empresa de medios de comunicación = media company.
    * enseñanza a través de medios electrónicos = online education.
    * enseñanza por medio del ordenador (CBI) = computer-based instruction (CBI).
    * entrevista en los medios de comunicación = media interview.
    * equipar de medios = resource.
    * exceso de medios = overkill.
    * expansión de una búsqueda por medio del tesauro = thesaurus expansion.
    * industria de los medios de comunicación de masas = mass communications industry.
    * interfaz por medio de gráficos = graphics interfacing.
    * máquina de registro de préstamos por medio de la fotografía = photocharger, photocharging machine.
    * medio de ahorro = economy measure.
    * medio de almacenamiento = storage medium.
    * medio de almacenamiento físico = physical storage media.
    * medio de comunicación = medium [media, -pl.].
    * medio de interpretación = medium of performance.
    * medio de transmisión = conduit.
    * medio físico = physical medium.
    * medios = ways and means.
    * medios de almacenamiento digital = digital media.
    * medios de almacenamiento óptico = optical storage media.
    * medios de comunicación = news media.
    * medios de comunicación de masas = mass media, mass communications media, communications media, communications media.
    * medios de comunicación social = mass media.
    * medios de microalmacenamiento de la información = microstorage media.
    * medios de producción = means of production.
    * medios digitalizados de almacenamiento de información = digitised media.
    * medios económicos = economic resources.
    * medios, los = wherewithal, the, means, the.
    * medios oficiales = official channels.
    * medios técnicos = IT capabilities.
    * medios visuales = visual media.
    * mostrar por medio de cambio de intensidad en el brillo = flash up.
    * multimedia = multimedia [multi-media].
    * mundo de los medios de comunicación, el = mediascape, the.
    * por medio = out of.
    * por medio de = by means of, by way of, in the form of, through, via, via the medium of, by dint of.
    * por medio de isótopos = isotopically.
    * por medio de otro(s) = by proxy.
    * por medio de una agencia = on a bureau basis.
    * por todos los medios = by all means.
    * proporcionar los medios para = provide + the material for.
    * ser un medio para llegar a un fin = be the means to an end.
    * streaming media = streaming media.
    * técnica de recuperación por medio de la lógica difusa = fuzzy IR technique.
    * terapia por medio de aromas = aroma therapy.
    * tratar por todos los medios de = take + (great) pains to.
    * tratar por todos los medios de + Verbo = be at pains to + Infinitivo.
    * un medio para alcanzar un fin = a means to an end.
    * un medio para conseguir un fin = a means to an end.
    * un medio para llegar a fin = a means to an end.
    * utilizar al máximo por medio del ordenador = explode.

    * * *
    (la mitad de): medio litro half a liter, a half-liter
    medio kilo de harina half a kilo of flour
    media docena de huevos half a dozen eggs, a half-dozen eggs
    ¿quieres media manzana? do you want half an apple?
    los niños pagan medio billete or pasaje children pay half fare o half price
    un retrato de medio cuerpo a half-length portrait
    llevo media hora esperando I've been waiting for half an hour
    la última media hora es muy divertida the last half hour is very entertaining
    hay trenes a y cinco y a y media there are trains at five past and half past (the hour)
    aún faltan dos horas y media para que empiece la función there are still two and a half hours to go before the show starts
    si se lo dices a él mañana lo sabe medio Buenos Aires if you tell him, half (of) Buenos Aires will know by tomorrow
    la bandera ondea a media asta the flag is flying at half-mast
    la falda le llega a media pierna she's wearing a calf-length skirt
    a media mañana/tarde siempre da un paseo he always goes for a mid-morning/mid-afternoon stroll, he always goes for a stroll mid-morning/mid-afternoon
    ¿qué haces aquí leyendo a media luz? what are you doing in here reading in such poor light?
    la habitación estaba a media luz the room was dimly lit
    Compuestos:
    habla con or (CS) en medioa lengua he talks in baby language
    la deliciosa medioa lengua de los dos años the delightful way a two-year-old talks
    A ( Astron) half-moon
    en forma de medioa luna crescent-shaped
    B (de las uñas) half-moon
    C ( RPl) ( Coc) croissant ( often with ham and cheese)
    D
    (organización): la Medioa Luna Roja the Red Crescent
    feminine short sleeve
    llevaba un vestido de medioa manga she was wearing a dress with short sleeves o a short-sleeved dress
    todavía no ha encontrado su medioa naranja (el hombre ideal) Mr Right hasn't come along yet; (la mujer ideal) he hasn't found his ideal woman yet
    vino con su medioa naranja he/she came along with his/her better half ( colloq hum)
    (en colegios): los alumnos en régimen de medioa pensión pupils who have school dinners
    fpl:
    me lo dijo con medioas palabras she didn't say it in so many words
    feminine half sole, sole
    feminine half volley
    a medioa voz in a low voice
    hablaban a medioa voz they were talking in low voices
    feminine ( Mil) about-face ( AmE), about-turn ( BrE)
    (se) dio medioa vuelta y se fue she turned on her heel o she turned around and left
    masculine and feminine fly half, outside half
    masculine midfield
    masculine and feminine middle-distance runner
    masculine middle-distance
    ● medio hermano, media hermana
    masculine, feminine
    ( masculine) half-brother; ( feminine) half-sister
    masculine half-mourning
    ● medio pupilo, media pupila or medio pupila
    masculine, feminine (CS) day pupil
    los medio pupilos the day pupils
    ( AmL) half-time
    B (mediano, promedio) average
    el cuidadano/mexicano medio the average citizen/Mexican
    barrios madrileños de standing alto a medio middle to upper-class districts of Madrid
    a medio y largo plazo in the medium and long term
    técnico de grado medio technician who has taken a three-year course rather than a five-year degree course
    la temperatura media es de 22 grados the average temperature is 22 degrees
    clase1 (↑ clase (1)), edad, término, etc
    C
    1
    (de manera incompleta): dejó el trabajo a medios he left the work half-finished
    me dijo la verdad a medios she didn't tell me the whole truth o story
    lo arregló a medios he didn't fix it properly
    2
    (entre dos): voy a comprar un número de lotería ¿vamos a medios? I'm going to buy a lottery ticket. Do you want to go halves?
    pagar a medios to pay half each, go halves
    lo hicimos a medios we did it between us
    D
    ( Chi fam) ( delante del n) (uso enfático): el medio auto que se gasta just look at the car he drives!
    half
    está medio borracha/loca she's half drunk/crazy
    lo dejaron allí medio muerto they left him there half dead
    fue medio violento encontrármelo ahí it was rather awkward meeting him there
    me lo dijo medio en broma medio en serio she said it half joking and half serious
    todo lo deja a medio hacer he never finishes anything, he leaves everything half finished
    medio como que se molestó cuando se lo dije (CS fam); she got kind of o sort of annoyed when I told her ( colloq)
    B
    1 (centro) middle
    en (el) medio de la habitación in the middle o center of the room
    el botón de en or del medio the middle button, the button in the middle
    el justo medio the happy medium
    quítate de en or del medio, que no me dejas ver get out of the way, I can't see
    quitar a algn de en medio ( euf); to get rid of sb ( euph), bump sb off ( colloq)
    2 los medios mpl ( Taur) center* ( of the ring)
    C
    1 (recurso, manera) means (pl)
    lo intentaron por todos los medios they tried everything they could
    no hay medio de localizarlo there's no way o means of locating him
    hizo lo que pudo con los medios a su alcance she did everything she could with the resources at her disposal
    como medio de coacción as a means of coercion
    medios económicos means (pl), resources (pl)
    no escatimó medios he spared no expense
    a pesar de los escasos medios de que dispone in spite of his limited means
    no cuenta con los medios necesarios para hacerlo she does not have the means o resources to do it
    Compuestos:
    la entrevista concedida a un medio de comunicación francés the interview given to a French newspaper ( o television station etc)
    los medios de comunicación sociales or de masas the mass media
    means of transport
    ( Méx) legal challenge
    mpl audiovisual aids (pl)
    mpl:
    los medio de producción the means of production
    D ( en locs):
    de por medio: no puedo dejarlo, están los niños de por medio I can't leave him, there are the children to think of
    hay muchos intereses creados de por medio there are a lot of vested interests involved
    en medio de: en medio de tanta gente (in) among so many people
    no sé cómo puedes trabajar en medio de este desorden I don't know how you can work in all this mess
    en medio de la confusión in o amid all the confusion
    en medio de todo all things considered
    en medio de todo más vale así all things considered, it's probably better this way
    por medio (CS, Per): día/semana por medio every other day/week
    dos o tres casas por medio every two or three houses
    por medio de: nos enteramos por medio de tu primo we found out from o through your cousin
    atrapa su presa por medio de estas pinzas it catches its prey by using these pincers
    se comunicaban por medio de este sistema they communicated by means of this system
    obtuvo el puesto por medio de estas influencias she got the job through these contacts
    de medio a medio: te equivocas de medio a medio you're completely wrong o utterly mistaken
    le acertó de medio a medio she was absolutely right
    E
    1
    (círculo, ámbito): en medios literarios/políticos in literary/political circles
    no está en su medio he's out of his element
    un artista prácticamente desconocido en nuestro medio (Col, CS); an artist who is practically unknown here o in our country ( o area etc)
    en medios bien informados se comenta que … informed opinion has it that …
    2 ( Biol) environment
    estos animales no sobreviven fuera de su medio natural these animals do not survive if removed from their natural habitat
    la adaptación al medio adaptation to one's environment o surroundings
    Compuesto:
    environment
    que no daña el medio ambiente eco-friendly, environmentally friendly
    F (dedo) middle finger
    G (moneda) five centavo or centésimo coin formerly used in some Latin American countries
    ni medio ( RPl fam): no se ve/no entendí ni medio you can't see/I didn't understand a thing
    el que nace para medio nunca llega a real if you don't have what it takes, you won't get on in the world
    * * *

     

    Del verbo mediar: ( conjugate mediar)

    medio es:

    1ª persona singular (yo) presente indicativo

    medió es:

    3ª persona singular (él/ella/usted) pretérito indicativo

    Multiple Entries:
    mediar    
    medio
    mediar ( conjugate mediar) verbo intransitivo

    medio EN algo ‹en conflicto/negociaciones› to mediate in sth, to act as mediator in sth
    b) ( interceder) medio POR algn to intercede for sb;

    medio ANTE algn to intercede o intervene with sb
    medio 1
    ◊ - dia adjetivo

    1 ( delante del n) ( la mitad de):

    media manzana half an apple;
    pagar medio pasaje to pay half fare o half price;
    media hora half an hour, a half hour (AmE);
    dos horas y media two and a half hours;
    a las cinco y media at half past five;
    a media mañana/tarde in the middle of the morning/afternoon;
    a medio camino halfway;
    media pensión ( en hoteles) half board;
    (se) dio medio vuelta y se fue she turned on her heel and left;
    un jugador de medio campo a midfield player;
    medio tiempo (AmL) half-time;
    mi media naranja (fam &
    hum) my better half (colloq & hum)
    2 (mediano, promedio) average;

    a medio y largo plazo in the medium and long term
    medio 2 adverbio
    half;

    todo lo deja a medio terminar he leaves everything half finished
    ■ sustantivo masculino
    1 (Mat) ( mitad) half
    2 ( centro) middle;
    ◊ en (el) medio de la habitación in the middle o center of the room;

    quitarse de en or del medio to get out of the way
    3
    a) (recurso, manera) means (pl);


    los medios de comunicación the media;
    medio de transporte means of transport
    b)

    ◊ medios sustantivo masculino plural ( recursos económicos) tb medios económicos means (pl), resources (pl)

    4 ( en locs)
    ◊ en medio de: en medio de tanta gente (in) among so many people;

    en medio de la confusión in o amid all the confusion;
    por medio (CS, Per): día/semana por medio every other day/week;
    dos casas por medio every two houses;
    por medio de (de proceso/técnica) by means of;
    por medio de tu primo from o through your cousin
    5
    a) (círculo, ámbito):

    ◊ en medios literarios/políticos in literary/political circles;

    no está en su medio he's out of his element
    b) (Biol) environment;


    medio ambiente environment;
    que no da daña el medio ambiente eco-friendly, environmentally friendly
    mediar verbo intransitivo
    1 (arbitrar, intervenir) to mediate: España mediará en el conflicto, Spain will mediate in the conflict
    2 (interceder) to intercede: mediará por ti, she'll intercede on your behalf
    3 (interponerse) media la circunstancia de que..., you must take into account that...
    4 (periodo de tiempo) to pass: mediaron un par de días, two days passed
    medio,-a
    I adjetivo
    1 (mitad) half: sólo queda medio melón, there is only half a melon left
    una hora y media, an hour and a half
    2 (no extremo) middle
    a media tarde, in the middle of the afternoon
    clase media, middle class
    punto medio, middle ground
    3 (prototípico) average: la calidad media es baja, the average quality is poor
    la mujer media, the average woman
    II adverbio half: el trabajo está medio hecho, the work is half done
    III sustantivo masculino
    1 (mitad) half
    2 (centro) middle
    en medio de la batalla, in the midst of the battle
    en medio de los árboles, among the trees
    (entre dos) in between the trees
    un barco en medio del desierto, a ship in the middle of the desert
    sal de ahí en medio, get out of the way
    3 (instrumento, vía) means: el fin no justifica los medios, the aim doesn't justify the means
    4 (entorno) enviroment
    un medio hostil, a hostile enviroment
    ' medio' also found in these entries:
    Spanish:
    achuchar
    - adivinarse
    - ambiente
    - calle
    - camino
    - coger
    - conducto
    - coralina
    - coralino
    - cuerpo
    - Ecuador
    - elemento
    - en
    - entorno
    - habitar
    - lado
    - locomoción
    - media
    - ocupante
    - odisea
    - oriente
    - perder
    - por
    - radical
    - recurso
    - sacar
    - tener
    - término
    - tierra
    - través
    - a
    - alzado
    - arma
    - atontado
    - caja
    - canal
    - derruido
    - destruir
    - día
    - efectivo
    - gusto
    - hombre
    - hostil
    - instrumento
    - ir
    - loco
    - Medio Oriente
    - mejor
    - menos
    - meter
    English:
    about
    - air
    - and
    - average
    - backdrop
    - between
    - bread
    - call away
    - canter
    - centre
    - cobble together
    - discern
    - East
    - end
    - environment
    - environmentalist
    - envoy
    - freight
    - half
    - half-dead
    - half-dressed
    - half-empty
    - half-full
    - half-open
    - half-serious
    - half-way
    - mean
    - means
    - medium
    - medium-term
    - mid
    - middle
    - Middle East
    - middleweight
    - midst
    - moderate
    - on
    - over
    - part
    - resource
    - Roman arch
    - rough up
    - sandwich course
    - scrum-half
    - semiliterate
    - shelf
    - slush
    - slushy
    - stimulate
    - television
    * * *
    medio, -a
    ♦ adj
    1. [igual a la mitad] half;
    media docena half a dozen;
    media hora half an hour;
    medio litro half a litre;
    el estadio registra media entrada the stadium is half full;
    medio pueblo estaba allí half the town was there;
    medio Quito se quedó sin electricidad half of Quito was left without electricity;
    la bandera ondeaba a media asta the flag was flying at half mast;
    a medio camino [en viaje] halfway there;
    [en trabajo] halfway through;
    a media luz in the half-light;
    nos salimos a media película we left halfway through the movie o Br film;
    como algo a media mañana I have something to eat halfway through the morning, I have a mid-morning snack;
    docena y media one and a half dozen;
    un kilo y medio one and a half kilos;
    son las dos y media it's half past two;
    son y media it's half past
    Andes, Méx, Ven medio fondo waist petticoat o slip;
    la media luna the crescent;
    la Media Luna Roja the Red Crescent;
    Fam Fig media naranja:
    mi/su/ etc[m5]. media naranja my/your/ etc other o better half;
    media pensión half board;
    CSur medio pupilo [que va a dormir a casa] day pupil; [que va a casa el fin de semana] boarder;
    media suela half-sole;
    media volea half volley
    2. [intermedio] [estatura, tamaño] medium;
    [posición, punto] middle;
    de una calidad media of average quality;
    a medio plazo in the medium term;
    de clase media middle-class;
    a media distancia in the middle distance
    medio campo midfield; Am medio tiempo half-time
    3. [de promedio] [temperatura, velocidad] average;
    Mat mean;
    el consumo medio de agua por habitante the average water consumption per head of the population;
    a una velocidad media de 50 km/h at an average speed of 50 km/h
    4. [corriente] ordinary, average;
    el ciudadano medio the average person, ordinary people
    ♦ adv
    half;
    medio borracho half drunk;
    estaba medio muerto he was half dead;
    a medio hacer half done;
    han dejado la obra a medio hacer they've left the building half finished;
    aún estoy a medio arreglar I'm only half ready;
    pasé la noche medio en vela I barely slept all night, I spent half the night awake
    ♦ nm
    1. [mitad] half;
    uno y medio one and a half
    2. [centro] middle, centre;
    íbamos por el carril del medio o [m5] de en medio we were driving in the middle lane;
    en medio (de) in the middle (of);
    estaba incómoda en medio de toda aquella gente I felt uncomfortable among all those people;
    está en medio de una profunda depresión she's in the middle of a deep depression;
    no se oía nada en medio de tanto ruido you couldn't hear a thing with all that noise;
    han puesto una valla en medio they've put a fence in the way;
    si te pones en medio no veo la tele I can't see the TV if you're in the way;
    quítate de en medio get out of the way;
    siempre tienes todas tus cosas por medio your things are always lying around all over the place;
    estar por (en) medio [estorbar] to be in the way;
    hay muchos intereses de por medio there are a lot of interests involved;
    meterse o [m5] ponerse (de) por medio [estorbar] to get in the way;
    Fig [entrometerse] to interfere;
    equivocarse de medio a medio to be completely wrong;
    Fam
    quitar de en medio a alguien to get rid of sb;
    quitarse de en medio [suicidarse] to do away with oneself
    3. [sistema, manera] means [singular or plural], method;
    utilice cualquier medio a su alcance use whatever means are available, use every means available;
    encontró un medio para pagar menos impuestos she found a way of paying less tax;
    no hay medio de convencerla she refuses to be convinced;
    por medio de by means of, through;
    ha encontrado trabajo por medio de un conocido she got a job through an acquaintance;
    por todos los medios by all possible means;
    intentaré conseguir ese trabajo por todos los medios I'll do whatever it takes to get that job;
    su medio de vida es la chatarra he earns his living from scrap metal
    los medios de comunicación the media;
    medios de producción means of production;
    medio de transporte means of transport o US transportation
    4.
    medios [recursos] means, resources;
    no cuenta con los medios económicos para realizarlo she lacks the means o the (financial) resources to do it
    5. [elemento físico] environment;
    animales que viven en el medio acuático animals that live in an aquatic environment
    medio ambiente environment; Biol medio de cultivo culture medium;
    medio físico physical environment
    6. [ámbito]
    el medio rural/urbano the countryside/city;
    en medios financieros/políticos in financial/political circles;
    en medios bien informados in well-informed circles
    7. Dep [en fútbol, hockey] midfielder;
    [en rugby] halfback medio (de) apertura [en rugby] fly half, stand-off;
    medio (de) melé [en rugby] scrum half
    8. Taurom
    los medios = centre of bullring
    9. Comp
    CSur Fam
    ni medio: no oye ni medio he's as deaf as a post;
    no entiende ni medio she hasn't got a clue;
    por medio: nado día por medio I swim every other day
    * * *
    I adj
    1 half;
    las tres y media half past three, three-thirty;
    2 tamaño medium
    3 (de promedio) average
    4 posición middle
    II m
    1 ( entorno) environment
    2 en fútbol midfielder
    3 ( centro) middle;
    en medio de in the middle of
    4 ( manera) means;
    por medio de by means of;
    medios pl dinero means, resources
    III adv half;
    hacer algo a medias half do sth;
    ir a medias go halves;
    a medio hacer half done;
    de medio a medio completely;
    día por medio L.Am. every other day;
    quitar de en medio algo fam move sth out of the way;
    quitarse de en medio get out of the way
    * * *
    medio adv
    1) : half
    está medio dormida: she's half asleep
    2) : rather, kind of
    está medio aburrida esta fiesta: this party is rather boring
    medio, - dia adj
    1) : half
    una media hora: half an hour
    medio hermano: half brother
    a media luz: in the half-light
    son las tres y media: it's half past three, it's three-thirty
    2) : midway, halfway
    a medio camino: halfway there
    3) : middle
    la clase media: the middle class
    4) : average
    la temperatura media: the average temperature
    medio nm
    1) centro: middle, center
    en medio de: in the middle of, amid
    2) ambiente: milieu, environment
    3) : medium, spiritualist
    4) : means pl, way
    por medio de: by means of
    los medios de comunicación: the media
    5) medios nmpl
    : means, resources
    * * *
    medio1 adj
    1. (mitad) half
    2. (promedio, normal) average
    medio2 adv half
    medio3 n
    1. (centro) middle
    2. (entorno) environment
    3. (recurso, método) means

    Spanish-English dictionary > medio

  • 3 Historical Portugal

       Before Romans described western Iberia or Hispania as "Lusitania," ancient Iberians inhabited the land. Phoenician and Greek trading settlements grew up in the Tagus estuary area and nearby coasts. Beginning around 202 BCE, Romans invaded what is today southern Portugal. With Rome's defeat of Carthage, Romans proceeded to conquer and rule the western region north of the Tagus, which they named Roman "Lusitania." In the fourth century CE, as Rome's rule weakened, the area experienced yet another invasion—Germanic tribes, principally the Suevi, who eventually were Christianized. During the sixth century CE, the Suevi kingdom was superseded by yet another Germanic tribe—the Christian Visigoths.
       A major turning point in Portugal's history came in 711, as Muslim armies from North Africa, consisting of both Arab and Berber elements, invaded the Iberian Peninsula from across the Straits of Gibraltar. They entered what is now Portugal in 714, and proceeded to conquer most of the country except for the far north. For the next half a millennium, Islam and Muslim presence in Portugal left a significant mark upon the politics, government, language, and culture of the country.
       Islam, Reconquest, and Portugal Created, 714-1140
       The long frontier struggle between Muslim invaders and Christian communities in the north of the Iberian peninsula was called the Reconquista (Reconquest). It was during this struggle that the first dynasty of Portuguese kings (Burgundian) emerged and the independent monarchy of Portugal was established. Christian forces moved south from what is now the extreme north of Portugal and gradually defeated Muslim forces, besieging and capturing towns under Muslim sway. In the ninth century, as Christian forces slowly made their way southward, Christian elements were dominant only in the area between Minho province and the Douro River; this region became known as "territorium Portu-calense."
       In the 11th century, the advance of the Reconquest quickened as local Christian armies were reinforced by crusading knights from what is now France and England. Christian forces took Montemor (1034), at the Mondego River; Lamego (1058); Viseu (1058); and Coimbra (1064). In 1095, the king of Castile and Léon granted the country of "Portu-cale," what became northern Portugal, to a Burgundian count who had emigrated from France. This was the foundation of Portugal. In 1139, a descendant of this count, Afonso Henriques, proclaimed himself "King of Portugal." He was Portugal's first monarch, the "Founder," and the first of the Burgundian dynasty, which ruled until 1385.
       The emergence of Portugal in the 12th century as a separate monarchy in Iberia occurred before the Christian Reconquest of the peninsula. In the 1140s, the pope in Rome recognized Afonso Henriques as king of Portugal. In 1147, after a long, bloody siege, Muslim-occupied Lisbon fell to Afonso Henriques's army. Lisbon was the greatest prize of the 500-year war. Assisting this effort were English crusaders on their way to the Holy Land; the first bishop of Lisbon was an Englishman. When the Portuguese captured Faro and Silves in the Algarve province in 1248-50, the Reconquest of the extreme western portion of the Iberian peninsula was complete—significantly, more than two centuries before the Spanish crown completed the Reconquest of the eastern portion by capturing Granada in 1492.
       Consolidation and Independence of Burgundian Portugal, 1140-1385
       Two main themes of Portugal's early existence as a monarchy are the consolidation of control over the realm and the defeat of a Castil-ian threat from the east to its independence. At the end of this period came the birth of a new royal dynasty (Aviz), which prepared to carry the Christian Reconquest beyond continental Portugal across the straits of Gibraltar to North Africa. There was a variety of motives behind these developments. Portugal's independent existence was imperiled by threats from neighboring Iberian kingdoms to the north and east. Politics were dominated not only by efforts against the Muslims in
       Portugal (until 1250) and in nearby southern Spain (until 1492), but also by internecine warfare among the kingdoms of Castile, Léon, Aragon, and Portugal. A final comeback of Muslim forces was defeated at the battle of Salado (1340) by allied Castilian and Portuguese forces. In the emerging Kingdom of Portugal, the monarch gradually gained power over and neutralized the nobility and the Church.
       The historic and commonplace Portuguese saying "From Spain, neither a good wind nor a good marriage" was literally played out in diplomacy and war in the late 14th-century struggles for mastery in the peninsula. Larger, more populous Castile was pitted against smaller Portugal. Castile's Juan I intended to force a union between Castile and Portugal during this era of confusion and conflict. In late 1383, Portugal's King Fernando, the last king of the Burgundian dynasty, suddenly died prematurely at age 38, and the Master of Aviz, Portugal's most powerful nobleman, took up the cause of independence and resistance against Castile's invasion. The Master of Aviz, who became King João I of Portugal, was able to obtain foreign assistance. With the aid of English archers, Joao's armies defeated the Castilians in the crucial battle of Aljubarrota, on 14 August 1385, a victory that assured the independence of the Portuguese monarchy from its Castilian nemesis for several centuries.
       Aviz Dynasty and Portugal's First Overseas Empire, 1385-1580
       The results of the victory at Aljubarrota, much celebrated in Portugal's art and monuments, and the rise of the Aviz dynasty also helped to establish a new merchant class in Lisbon and Oporto, Portugal's second city. This group supported King João I's program of carrying the Reconquest to North Africa, since it was interested in expanding Portugal's foreign commerce and tapping into Muslim trade routes and resources in Africa. With the Reconquest against the Muslims completed in Portugal and the threat from Castile thwarted for the moment, the Aviz dynasty launched an era of overseas conquest, exploration, and trade. These efforts dominated Portugal's 15th and 16th centuries.
       The overseas empire and age of Discoveries began with Portugal's bold conquest in 1415 of the Moroccan city of Ceuta. One royal member of the 1415 expedition was young, 21-year-old Prince Henry, later known in history as "Prince Henry the Navigator." His part in the capture of Ceuta won Henry his knighthood and began Portugal's "Marvelous Century," during which the small kingdom was counted as a European and world power of consequence. Henry was the son of King João I and his English queen, Philippa of Lancaster, but he did not inherit the throne. Instead, he spent most of his life and his fortune, and that of the wealthy military Order of Christ, on various imperial ventures and on voyages of exploration down the African coast and into the Atlantic. While mythology has surrounded Henry's controversial role in the Discoveries, and this role has been exaggerated, there is no doubt that he played a vital part in the initiation of Portugal's first overseas empire and in encouraging exploration. He was naturally curious, had a sense of mission for Portugal, and was a strong leader. He also had wealth to expend; at least a third of the African voyages of the time were under his sponsorship. If Prince Henry himself knew little science, significant scientific advances in navigation were made in his day.
       What were Portugal's motives for this new imperial effort? The well-worn historical cliche of "God, Glory, and Gold" can only partly explain the motivation of a small kingdom with few natural resources and barely 1 million people, which was greatly outnumbered by the other powers it confronted. Among Portuguese objectives were the desire to exploit known North African trade routes and resources (gold, wheat, leather, weaponry, and other goods that were scarce in Iberia); the need to outflank the Muslim world in the Mediterranean by sailing around Africa, attacking Muslims en route; and the wish to ally with Christian kingdoms beyond Africa. This enterprise also involved a strategy of breaking the Venetian spice monopoly by trading directly with the East by means of discovering and exploiting a sea route around Africa to Asia. Besides the commercial motives, Portugal nurtured a strong crusading sense of Christian mission, and various classes in the kingdom saw an opportunity for fame and gain.
       By the time of Prince Henry's death in 1460, Portugal had gained control of the Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeiras, begun to colonize the Cape Verde Islands, failed to conquer the Canary Islands from Castile, captured various cities on Morocco's coast, and explored as far as Senegal, West Africa, down the African coast. By 1488, Bar-tolomeu Dias had rounded the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa and thereby discovered the way to the Indian Ocean.
       Portugal's largely coastal African empire and later its fragile Asian empire brought unexpected wealth but were purchased at a high price. Costs included wars of conquest and defense against rival powers, manning the far-flung navel and trade fleets and scattered castle-fortresses, and staffing its small but fierce armies, all of which entailed a loss of skills and population to maintain a scattered empire. Always short of capital, the monarchy became indebted to bankers. There were many defeats beginning in the 16th century at the hands of the larger imperial European monarchies (Spain, France, England, and Holland) and many attacks on Portugal and its strung-out empire. Typically, there was also the conflict that arose when a tenuously held world empire that rarely if ever paid its way demanded finance and manpower Portugal itself lacked.
       The first 80 years of the glorious imperial era, the golden age of Portugal's imperial power and world influence, was an African phase. During 1415-88, Portuguese navigators and explorers in small ships, some of them caravelas (caravels), explored the treacherous, disease-ridden coasts of Africa from Morocco to South Africa beyond the Cape of Good Hope. By the 1470s, the Portuguese had reached the Gulf of Guinea and, in the early 1480s, what is now Angola. Bartolomeu Dias's extraordinary voyage of 1487-88 to South Africa's coast and the edge of the Indian Ocean convinced Portugal that the best route to Asia's spices and Christians lay south, around the tip of southern Africa. Between 1488 and 1495, there was a hiatus caused in part by domestic conflict in Portugal, discussion of resources available for further conquests beyond Africa in Asia, and serious questions as to Portugal's capacity to reach beyond Africa. In 1495, King Manuel and his council decided to strike for Asia, whatever the consequences. In 1497-99, Vasco da Gama, under royal orders, made the epic two-year voyage that discovered the sea route to western India (Asia), outflanked Islam and Venice, and began Portugal's Asian empire. Within 50 years, Portugal had discovered and begun the exploitation of its largest colony, Brazil, and set up forts and trading posts from the Middle East (Aden and Ormuz), India (Calicut, Goa, etc.), Malacca, and Indonesia to Macau in China.
       By the 1550s, parts of its largely coastal, maritime trading post empire from Morocco to the Moluccas were under siege from various hostile forces, including Muslims, Christians, and Hindi. Although Moroccan forces expelled the Portuguese from the major coastal cities by 1550, the rival European monarchies of Castile (Spain), England, France, and later Holland began to seize portions of her undermanned, outgunned maritime empire.
       In 1580, Phillip II of Spain, whose mother was a Portuguese princess and who had a strong claim to the Portuguese throne, invaded Portugal, claimed the throne, and assumed control over the realm and, by extension, its African, Asian, and American empires. Phillip II filled the power vacuum that appeared in Portugal following the loss of most of Portugal's army and its young, headstrong King Sebastião in a disastrous war in Morocco. Sebastiao's death in battle (1578) and the lack of a natural heir to succeed him, as well as the weak leadership of the cardinal who briefly assumed control in Lisbon, led to a crisis that Spain's strong monarch exploited. As a result, Portugal lost its independence to Spain for a period of 60 years.
       Portugal under Spanish Rule, 1580-1640
       Despite the disastrous nature of Portugal's experience under Spanish rule, "The Babylonian Captivity" gave birth to modern Portuguese nationalism, its second overseas empire, and its modern alliance system with England. Although Spain allowed Portugal's weakened empire some autonomy, Spanish rule in Portugal became increasingly burdensome and unacceptable. Spain's ambitious imperial efforts in Europe and overseas had an impact on the Portuguese as Spain made greater and greater demands on its smaller neighbor for manpower and money. Portugal's culture underwent a controversial Castilianization, while its empire became hostage to Spain's fortunes. New rival powers England, France, and Holland attacked and took parts of Spain's empire and at the same time attacked Portugal's empire, as well as the mother country.
       Portugal's empire bore the consequences of being attacked by Spain's bitter enemies in what was a form of world war. Portuguese losses were heavy. By 1640, Portugal had lost most of its Moroccan cities as well as Ceylon, the Moluccas, and sections of India. With this, Portugal's Asian empire was gravely weakened. Only Goa, Damão, Diu, Bombay, Timor, and Macau remained and, in Brazil, Dutch forces occupied the northeast.
       On 1 December 1640, long commemorated as a national holiday, Portuguese rebels led by the duke of Braganza overthrew Spanish domination and took advantage of Spanish weakness following a more serious rebellion in Catalonia. Portugal regained independence from Spain, but at a price: dependence on foreign assistance to maintain its independence in the form of the renewal of the alliance with England.
       Restoration and Second Empire, 1640-1822
       Foreign affairs and empire dominated the restoration era and aftermath, and Portugal again briefly enjoyed greater European power and prestige. The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance was renewed and strengthened in treaties of 1642, 1654, and 1661, and Portugal's independence from Spain was underwritten by English pledges and armed assistance. In a Luso-Spanish treaty of 1668, Spain recognized Portugal's independence. Portugal's alliance with England was a marriage of convenience and necessity between two monarchies with important religious, cultural, and social differences. In return for legal, diplomatic, and trade privileges, as well as the use during war and peace of Portugal's great Lisbon harbor and colonial ports for England's navy, England pledged to protect Portugal and its scattered empire from any attack. The previously cited 17th-century alliance treaties were renewed later in the Treaty of Windsor, signed in London in 1899. On at least 10 different occasions after 1640, and during the next two centuries, England was central in helping prevent or repel foreign invasions of its ally, Portugal.
       Portugal's second empire (1640-1822) was largely Brazil-oriented. Portuguese colonization, exploitation of wealth, and emigration focused on Portuguese America, and imperial revenues came chiefly from Brazil. Between 1670 and 1740, Portugal's royalty and nobility grew wealthier on funds derived from Brazilian gold, diamonds, sugar, tobacco, and other crops, an enterprise supported by the Atlantic slave trade and the supply of African slave labor from West Africa and Angola. Visitors today can see where much of that wealth was invested: Portugal's rich legacy of monumental architecture. Meanwhile, the African slave trade took a toll in Angola and West Africa.
       In continental Portugal, absolutist monarchy dominated politics and government, and there was a struggle for position and power between the monarchy and other institutions, such as the Church and nobility. King José I's chief minister, usually known in history as the marquis of Pombal (ruled 1750-77), sharply suppressed the nobility and the
       Church (including the Inquisition, now a weak institution) and expelled the Jesuits. Pombal also made an effort to reduce economic dependence on England, Portugal's oldest ally. But his successes did not last much beyond his disputed time in office.
       Beginning in the late 18th century, the European-wide impact of the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon placed Portugal in a vulnerable position. With the monarchy ineffectively led by an insane queen (Maria I) and her indecisive regent son (João VI), Portugal again became the focus of foreign ambition and aggression. With England unable to provide decisive assistance in time, France—with Spain's consent—invaded Portugal in 1807. As Napoleon's army under General Junot entered Lisbon meeting no resistance, Portugal's royal family fled on a British fleet to Brazil, where it remained in exile until 1821. In the meantime, Portugal's overseas empire was again under threat. There was a power vacuum as the monarch was absent, foreign armies were present, and new political notions of liberalism and constitutional monarchy were exciting various groups of citizens.
       Again England came to the rescue, this time in the form of the armies of the duke of Wellington. Three successive French invasions of Portugal were defeated and expelled, and Wellington succeeded in carrying the war against Napoleon across the Portuguese frontier into Spain. The presence of the English army, the new French-born liberal ideas, and the political vacuum combined to create revolutionary conditions. The French invasions and the peninsular wars, where Portuguese armed forces played a key role, marked the beginning of a new era in politics.
       Liberalism and Constitutional Monarchy, 1822-1910
       During 1807-22, foreign invasions, war, and civil strife over conflicting political ideas gravely damaged Portugal's commerce, economy, and novice industry. The next terrible blow was the loss of Brazil in 1822, the jewel in the imperial crown. Portugal's very independence seemed to be at risk. In vain, Portugal sought to resist Brazilian independence by force, but in 1825 it formally acknowledged Brazilian independence by treaty.
       Portugal's slow recovery from the destructive French invasions and the "war of independence" was complicated by civil strife over the form of constitutional monarchy that best suited Portugal. After struggles over these issues between 1820 and 1834, Portugal settled somewhat uncertainly into a moderate constitutional monarchy whose constitution (Charter of 1826) lent it strong political powers to exert a moderating influence between the executive and legislative branches of the government. It also featured a new upper middle class based on land ownership and commerce; a Catholic Church that, although still important, lived with reduced privileges and property; a largely African (third) empire to which Lisbon and Oporto devoted increasing spiritual and material resources, starting with the liberal imperial plans of 1836 and 1851, and continuing with the work of institutions like the Lisbon Society of Geography (established 1875); and a mass of rural peasants whose bonds to the land weakened after 1850 and who began to immigrate in increasing numbers to Brazil and North America.
       Chronic military intervention in national politics began in 19th-century Portugal. Such intervention, usually commencing with coups or pronunciamentos (military revolts), was a shortcut to the spoils of political office and could reflect popular discontent as well as the power of personalities. An early example of this was the 1817 golpe (coup) attempt of General Gomes Freire against British military rule in Portugal before the return of King João VI from Brazil. Except for a more stable period from 1851 to 1880, military intervention in politics, or the threat thereof, became a feature of the constitutional monarchy's political life, and it continued into the First Republic and the subsequent Estado Novo.
       Beginning with the Regeneration period (1851-80), Portugal experienced greater political stability and economic progress. Military intervention in politics virtually ceased; industrialization and construction of railroads, roads, and bridges proceeded; two political parties (Regenerators and Historicals) worked out a system of rotation in power; and leading intellectuals sparked a cultural revival in several fields. In 19th-century literature, there was a new golden age led by such figures as Alexandre Herculano (historian), Eça de Queirós (novelist), Almeida Garrett (playwright and essayist), Antero de Quental (poet), and Joaquim Oliveira Martins (historian and social scientist). In its third overseas empire, Portugal attempted to replace the slave trade and slavery with legitimate economic activities; to reform the administration; and to expand Portuguese holdings beyond coastal footholds deep into the African hinterlands in West, West Central, and East Africa. After 1841, to some extent, and especially after 1870, colonial affairs, combined with intense nationalism, pressures for economic profit in Africa, sentiment for national revival, and the drift of European affairs would make or break Lisbon governments.
       Beginning with the political crisis that arose out of the "English Ultimatum" affair of January 1890, the monarchy became discredtted and identified with the poorly functioning government, political parties splintered, and republicanism found more supporters. Portugal participated in the "Scramble for Africa," expanding its African holdings, but failed to annex territory connecting Angola and Mozambique. A growing foreign debt and state bankruptcy as of the early 1890s damaged the constitutional monarchy's reputation, despite the efforts of King Carlos in diplomacy, the renewal of the alliance in the Windsor Treaty of 1899, and the successful if bloody colonial wars in the empire (1880-97). Republicanism proclaimed that Portugal's weak economy and poor society were due to two historic institutions: the monarchy and the Catholic Church. A republic, its stalwarts claimed, would bring greater individual liberty; efficient, if more decentralized government; and a stronger colonial program while stripping the Church of its role in both society and education.
       As the monarchy lost support and republicans became more aggressive, violence increased in politics. King Carlos I and his heir Luís were murdered in Lisbon by anarchist-republicans on 1 February 1908. Following a military and civil insurrection and fighting between monarchist and republican forces, on 5 October 1910, King Manuel II fled Portugal and a republic was proclaimed.
       First Parliamentary Republic, 1910-26
       Portugal's first attempt at republican government was the most unstable, turbulent parliamentary republic in the history of 20th-century Western Europe. During a little under 16 years of the republic, there were 45 governments, a number of legislatures that did not complete normal terms, military coups, and only one president who completed his four-year term in office. Portuguese society was poorly prepared for this political experiment. Among the deadly legacies of the monarchy were a huge public debt; a largely rural, apolitical, and illiterate peasant population; conflict over the causes of the country's misfortunes; and lack of experience with a pluralist, democratic system.
       The republic had some talented leadership but lacked popular, institutional, and economic support. The 1911 republican constitution established only a limited democracy, as only a small portion of the adult male citizenry was eligible to vote. In a country where the majority was Catholic, the republic passed harshly anticlerical laws, and its institutions and supporters persecuted both the Church and its adherents. During its brief disjointed life, the First Republic drafted important reform plans in economic, social, and educational affairs; actively promoted development in the empire; and pursued a liberal, generous foreign policy. Following British requests for Portugal's assistance in World War I, Portugal entered the war on the Allied side in March 1916 and sent armies to Flanders and Portuguese Africa. Portugal's intervention in that conflict, however, was too costly in many respects, and the ultimate failure of the republic in part may be ascribed to Portugal's World War I activities.
       Unfortunately for the republic, its time coincided with new threats to Portugal's African possessions: World War I, social and political demands from various classes that could not be reconciled, excessive military intervention in politics, and, in particular, the worst economic and financial crisis Portugal had experienced since the 16th and 17th centuries. After the original Portuguese Republican Party (PRP, also known as the "Democrats") splintered into three warring groups in 1912, no true multiparty system emerged. The Democrats, except for only one or two elections, held an iron monopoly of electoral power, and political corruption became a major issue. As extreme right-wing dictatorships elsewhere in Europe began to take power in Italy (1922), neighboring Spain (1923), and Greece (1925), what scant popular support remained for the republic collapsed. Backed by a right-wing coalition of landowners from Alentejo, clergy, Coimbra University faculty and students, Catholic organizations, and big business, career military officers led by General Gomes da Costa executed a coup on 28 May 1926, turned out the last republican government, and established a military government.
       The Estado Novo (New State), 1926-74
       During the military phase (1926-32) of the Estado Novo, professional military officers, largely from the army, governed and administered Portugal and held key cabinet posts, but soon discovered that the military possessed no magic formula that could readily solve the problems inherited from the First Republic. Especially during the years 1926-31, the military dictatorship, even with its political repression of republican activities and institutions (military censorship of the press, political police action, and closure of the republic's rowdy parliament), was characterized by similar weaknesses: personalism and factionalism; military coups and political instability, including civil strife and loss of life; state debt and bankruptcy; and a weak economy. "Barracks parliamentarism" was not an acceptable alternative even to the "Nightmare Republic."
       Led by General Óscar Carmona, who had replaced and sent into exile General Gomes da Costa, the military dictatorship turned to a civilian expert in finance and economics to break the budget impasse and bring coherence to the disorganized system. Appointed minister of finance on 27 April 1928, the Coimbra University Law School professor of economics Antônio de Oliveira Salazar (1889-1970) first reformed finance, helped balance the budget, and then turned to other concerns as he garnered extraordinary governing powers. In 1930, he was appointed interim head of another key ministry (Colonies) and within a few years had become, in effect, a civilian dictator who, with the military hierarchy's support, provided the government with coherence, a program, and a set of policies.
       For nearly 40 years after he was appointed the first civilian prime minister in 1932, Salazar's personality dominated the government. Unlike extreme right-wing dictators elsewhere in Europe, Salazar was directly appointed by the army but was never endorsed by a popular political party, street militia, or voter base. The scholarly, reclusive former Coimbra University professor built up what became known after 1932 as the Estado Novo ("New State"), which at the time of its overthrow by another military coup in 1974, was the longest surviving authoritarian regime in Western Europe. The system of Salazar and the largely academic and technocratic ruling group he gathered in his cabinets was based on the central bureaucracy of the state, which was supported by the president of the republic—always a senior career military officer, General Óscar Carmona (1928-51), General Craveiro Lopes (1951-58), and Admiral Américo Tómaz (1958-74)—and the complicity of various institutions. These included a rubber-stamp legislature called the National Assembly (1935-74) and a political police known under various names: PVDE (1932-45), PIDE (1945-69),
       and DGS (1969-74). Other defenders of the Estado Novo security were paramilitary organizations such as the National Republican Guard (GNR); the Portuguese Legion (PL); and the Portuguese Youth [Movement]. In addition to censorship of the media, theater, and books, there was political repression and a deliberate policy of depoliticization. All political parties except for the approved movement of regime loyalists, the União Nacional or (National Union), were banned.
       The most vigorous and more popular period of the New State was 1932-44, when the basic structures were established. Never monolithic or entirely the work of one person (Salazar), the New State was constructed with the assistance of several dozen top associates who were mainly academics from law schools, some technocrats with specialized skills, and a handful of trusted career military officers. The 1933 Constitution declared Portugal to be a "unitary, corporative Republic," and pressures to restore the monarchy were resisted. Although some of the regime's followers were fascists and pseudofascists, many more were conservative Catholics, integralists, nationalists, and monarchists of different varieties, and even some reactionary republicans. If the New State was authoritarian, it was not totalitarian and, unlike fascism in Benito Mussolini's Italy or Adolf Hitler's Germany, it usually employed the minimum of violence necessary to defeat what remained a largely fractious, incoherent opposition.
       With the tumultuous Second Republic and the subsequent civil war in nearby Spain, the regime felt threatened and reinforced its defenses. During what Salazar rightly perceived as a time of foreign policy crisis for Portugal (1936-45), he assumed control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From there, he pursued four basic foreign policy objectives: supporting the Nationalist rebels of General Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and concluding defense treaties with a triumphant Franco; ensuring that General Franco in an exhausted Spain did not enter World War II on the Axis side; maintaining Portuguese neutrality in World War II with a post-1942 tilt toward the Allies, including granting Britain and the United States use of bases in the Azores Islands; and preserving and protecting Portugal's Atlantic Islands and its extensive, if poor, overseas empire in Africa and Asia.
       During the middle years of the New State (1944-58), many key Salazar associates in government either died or resigned, and there was greater social unrest in the form of unprecedented strikes and clandestine Communist activities, intensified opposition, and new threatening international pressures on Portugal's overseas empire. During the earlier phase of the Cold War (1947-60), Portugal became a steadfast, if weak, member of the US-dominated North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance and, in 1955, with American support, Portugal joined the United Nations (UN). Colonial affairs remained a central concern of the regime. As of 1939, Portugal was the third largest colonial power in the world and possessed territories in tropical Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, and São Tomé and Príncipe Islands) and the remnants of its 16th-century empire in Asia (Goa, Damão, Diu, East Timor, and Macau). Beginning in the early 1950s, following the independence of India in 1947, Portugal resisted Indian pressures to decolonize Portuguese India and used police forces to discourage internal opposition in its Asian and African colonies.
       The later years of the New State (1958-68) witnessed the aging of the increasingly isolated but feared Salazar and new threats both at home and overseas. Although the regime easily overcame the brief oppositionist threat from rival presidential candidate General Humberto Delgado in the spring of 1958, new developments in the African and Asian empires imperiled the authoritarian system. In February 1961, oppositionists hijacked the Portuguese ocean liner Santa Maria and, in following weeks, African insurgents in northern Angola, although they failed to expel the Portuguese, gained worldwide media attention, discredited the New State, and began the 13-year colonial war. After thwarting a dissident military coup against his continued leadership, Salazar and his ruling group mobilized military repression in Angola and attempted to develop the African colonies at a faster pace in order to ensure Portuguese control. Meanwhile, the other European colonial powers (Britain, France, Belgium, and Spain) rapidly granted political independence to their African territories.
       At the time of Salazar's removal from power in September 1968, following a stroke, Portugal's efforts to maintain control over its colonies appeared to be successful. President Americo Tomás appointed Dr. Marcello Caetano as Salazar's successor as prime minister. While maintaining the New State's basic structures, and continuing the regime's essential colonial policy, Caetano attempted wider reforms in colonial administration and some devolution of power from Lisbon, as well as more freedom of expression in Lisbon. Still, a great deal of the budget was devoted to supporting the wars against the insurgencies in Africa. Meanwhile in Asia, Portuguese India had fallen when the Indian army invaded in December 1961. The loss of Goa was a psychological blow to the leadership of the New State, and of the Asian empire only East Timor and Macau remained.
       The Caetano years (1968-74) were but a hiatus between the waning Salazar era and a new regime. There was greater political freedom and rapid economic growth (5-6 percent annually to late 1973), but Caetano's government was unable to reform the old system thoroughly and refused to consider new methods either at home or in the empire. In the end, regime change came from junior officers of the professional military who organized the Armed Forces Movement (MFA) against the Caetano government. It was this group of several hundred officers, mainly in the army and navy, which engineered a largely bloodless coup in Lisbon on 25 April 1974. Their unexpected action brought down the 48-year-old New State and made possible the eventual establishment and consolidation of democratic governance in Portugal, as well as a reorientation of the country away from the Atlantic toward Europe.
       Revolution of Carnations, 1974-76
       Following successful military operations of the Armed Forces Movement against the Caetano government, Portugal experienced what became known as the "Revolution of Carnations." It so happened that during the rainy week of the military golpe, Lisbon flower shops were featuring carnations, and the revolutionaries and their supporters adopted the red carnation as the common symbol of the event, as well as of the new freedom from dictatorship. The MFA, whose leaders at first were mostly little-known majors and captains, proclaimed a three-fold program of change for the new Portugal: democracy; decolonization of the overseas empire, after ending the colonial wars; and developing a backward economy in the spirit of opportunity and equality. During the first 24 months after the coup, there was civil strife, some anarchy, and a power struggle. With the passing of the Estado Novo, public euphoria burst forth as the new provisional military government proclaimed the freedoms of speech, press, and assembly, and abolished censorship, the political police, the Portuguese Legion, Portuguese Youth, and other New State organizations, including the National Union. Scores of political parties were born and joined the senior political party, the Portuguese Community Party (PCP), and the Socialist Party (PS), founded shortly before the coup.
       Portugal's Revolution of Carnations went through several phases. There was an attempt to take control by radical leftists, including the PCP and its allies. This was thwarted by moderate officers in the army, as well as by the efforts of two political parties: the PS and the Social Democrats (PPD, later PSD). The first phase was from April to September 1974. Provisional president General Antonio Spínola, whose 1974 book Portugal and the Future had helped prepare public opinion for the coup, met irresistible leftist pressures. After Spinola's efforts to avoid rapid decolonization of the African empire failed, he resigned in September 1974. During the second phase, from September 1974 to March 1975, radical military officers gained control, but a coup attempt by General Spínola and his supporters in Lisbon in March 1975 failed and Spínola fled to Spain.
       In the third phase of the Revolution, March-November 1975, a strong leftist reaction followed. Farm workers occupied and "nationalized" 1.1 million hectares of farmland in the Alentejo province, and radical military officers in the provisional government ordered the nationalization of Portuguese banks (foreign banks were exempted), utilities, and major industries, or about 60 percent of the economic system. There were power struggles among various political parties — a total of 50 emerged—and in the streets there was civil strife among labor, military, and law enforcement groups. A constituent assembly, elected on 25 April 1975, in Portugal's first free elections since 1926, drafted a democratic constitution. The Council of the Revolution (CR), briefly a revolutionary military watchdog committee, was entrenched as part of the government under the constitution, until a later revision. During the chaotic year of 1975, about 30 persons were killed in political frays while unstable provisional governments came and went. On 25 November 1975, moderate military forces led by Colonel Ramalho Eanes, who later was twice elected president of the republic (1976 and 1981), defeated radical, leftist military groups' revolutionary conspiracies.
       In the meantime, Portugal's scattered overseas empire experienced a precipitous and unprepared decolonization. One by one, the former colonies were granted and accepted independence—Guinea-Bissau (September 1974), Cape Verde Islands (July 1975), and Mozambique (July 1975). Portugal offered to turn over Macau to the People's Republic of China, but the offer was refused then and later negotiations led to the establishment of a formal decolonization or hand-over date of 1999. But in two former colonies, the process of decolonization had tragic results.
       In Angola, decolonization negotiations were greatly complicated by the fact that there were three rival nationalist movements in a struggle for power. The January 1975 Alvor Agreement signed by Portugal and these three parties was not effectively implemented. A bloody civil war broke out in Angola in the spring of 1975 and, when Portuguese armed forces withdrew and declared that Angola was independent on 11 November 1975, the bloodshed only increased. Meanwhile, most of the white Portuguese settlers from Angola and Mozambique fled during the course of 1975. Together with African refugees, more than 600,000 of these retornados ("returned ones") went by ship and air to Portugal and thousands more to Namibia, South Africa, Brazil, Canada, and the United States.
       The second major decolonization disaster was in Portugal's colony of East Timor in the Indonesian archipelago. Portugal's capacity to supervise and control a peaceful transition to independence in this isolated, neglected colony was limited by the strength of giant Indonesia, distance from Lisbon, and Portugal's revolutionary disorder and inability to defend Timor. In early December 1975, before Portugal granted formal independence and as one party, FRETILIN, unilaterally declared East Timor's independence, Indonesia's armed forces invaded, conquered, and annexed East Timor. Indonesian occupation encountered East Timorese resistance, and a heavy loss of life followed. The East Timor question remained a contentious international issue in the UN, as well as in Lisbon and Jakarta, for more than 20 years following Indonesia's invasion and annexation of the former colony of Portugal. Major changes occurred, beginning in 1998, after Indonesia underwent a political revolution and allowed a referendum in East Timor to decide that territory's political future in August 1999. Most East Timorese chose independence, but Indonesian forces resisted that verdict until
       UN intervention in September 1999. Following UN rule for several years, East Timor attained full independence on 20 May 2002.
       Consolidation of Democracy, 1976-2000
       After several free elections and record voter turnouts between 25 April 1975 and June 1976, civil war was averted and Portugal's second democratic republic began to stabilize. The MFA was dissolved, the military were returned to the barracks, and increasingly elected civilians took over the government of the country. The 1976 Constitution was revised several times beginning in 1982 and 1989, in order to reempha-size the principle of free enterprise in the economy while much of the large, nationalized sector was privatized. In June 1976, General Ram-alho Eanes was elected the first constitutional president of the republic (five-year term), and he appointed socialist leader Dr. Mário Soares as prime minister of the first constitutional government.
       From 1976 to 1985, Portugal's new system featured a weak economy and finances, labor unrest, and administrative and political instability. The difficult consolidation of democratic governance was eased in part by the strong currency and gold reserves inherited from the Estado Novo, but Lisbon seemed unable to cope with high unemployment, new debt, the complex impact of the refugees from Africa, world recession, and the agitation of political parties. Four major parties emerged from the maelstrom of 1974-75, except for the Communist Party, all newly founded. They were, from left to right, the Communists (PCP); the Socialists (PS), who managed to dominate governments and the legislature but not win a majority in the Assembly of the Republic; the Social Democrats (PSD); and the Christian Democrats (CDS). During this period, the annual growth rate was low (l-2 percent), and the nationalized sector of the economy stagnated.
       Enhanced economic growth, greater political stability, and more effective central government as of 1985, and especially 1987, were due to several developments. In 1977, Portugal applied for membership in the European Economic Community (EEC), now the European Union (EU) since 1993. In January 1986, with Spain, Portugal was granted membership, and economic and financial progress in the intervening years has been significantly influenced by the comparatively large investment, loans, technology, advice, and other assistance from the EEC. Low unemployment, high annual growth rates (5 percent), and moderate inflation have also been induced by the new political and administrative stability in Lisbon. Led by Prime Minister Cavaco Silva, an economist who was trained abroad, the PSD's strong organization, management, and electoral support since 1985 have assisted in encouraging economic recovery and development. In 1985, the PSD turned the PS out of office and won the general election, although they did not have an absolute majority of assembly seats. In 1986, Mário Soares was elected president of the republic, the first civilian to hold that office since the First Republic. In the elections of 1987 and 1991, however, the PSD was returned to power with clear majorities of over 50 percent of the vote.
       Although the PSD received 50.4 percent of the vote in the 1991 parliamentary elections and held a 42-seat majority in the Assembly of the Republic, the party began to lose public support following media revelations regarding corruption and complaints about Prime Minister Cavaco Silva's perceived arrogant leadership style. President Mário Soares voiced criticism of the PSD's seemingly untouchable majority and described a "tyranny of the majority." Economic growth slowed down. In the parliamentary elections of 1995 and the presidential election of 1996, the PSD's dominance ended for the time being. Prime Minister Antônio Guterres came to office when the PS won the October 1995 elections, and in the subsequent presidential contest, in January 1996, socialist Jorge Sampaio, the former mayor of Lisbon, was elected president of the republic, thus defeating Cavaco Silva's bid. Young and popular, Guterres moved the PS toward the center of the political spectrum. Under Guterres, the PS won the October 1999 parliamentary elections. The PS defeated the PSD but did not manage to win a clear, working majority of seats, and this made the PS dependent upon alliances with smaller parties, including the PCP.
       In the local elections in December 2001, the PSD's criticism of PS's heavy public spending allowed the PSD to take control of the key cities of Lisbon, Oporto, and Coimbra. Guterres resigned, and parliamentary elections were brought forward from 2004 to March 2002. The PSD won a narrow victory with 40 percent of the votes, and Jose Durão Barroso became prime minister. Having failed to win a majority of the seats in parliament forced the PSD to govern in coalition with the right-wing Popular Party (PP) led by Paulo Portas. Durão Barroso set about reducing government spending by cutting the budgets of local authorities, freezing civil service hiring, and reviving the economy by accelerating privatization of state-owned enterprises. These measures provoked a 24-hour strike by public-sector workers. Durão Barroso reacted with vows to press ahead with budget-cutting measures and imposed a wage freeze on all employees earning more than €1,000, which affected more than one-half of Portugal's work force.
       In June 2004, Durão Barroso was invited by Romano Prodi to succeed him as president of the European Commission. Durão Barroso accepted and resigned the prime ministership in July. Pedro Santana Lopes, the leader of the PSD, became prime minister. Already unpopular at the time of Durão Barroso's resignation, the PSD-led government became increasingly unpopular under Santana Lopes. A month-long delay in the start of the school year and confusion over his plan to cut taxes and raise public-sector salaries, eroded confidence even more. By November, Santana Lopes's government was so unpopular that President Jorge Sampaio was obliged to dissolve parliament and hold new elections, two years ahead of schedule.
       Parliamentary elections were held on 20 February 2005. The PS, which had promised the electorate disciplined and transparent governance, educational reform, the alleviation of poverty, and a boost in employment, won 45 percent of the vote and the majority of the seats in parliament. The leader of the PS, José Sôcrates became prime minister on 12 March 2005. In the regularly scheduled presidential elections held on 6 January 2006, the former leader of the PSD and prime minister, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, won a narrow victory and became president on 9 March 2006. With a mass protest, public teachers' strike, and street demonstrations in March 2008, Portugal's media, educational, and social systems experienced more severe pressures. With the spreading global recession beginning in September 2008, Portugal's economic and financial systems became more troubled.
       Owing to its geographic location on the southwestern most edge of continental Europe, Portugal has been historically in but not of Europe. Almost from the beginning of its existence in the 12th century as an independent monarchy, Portugal turned its back on Europe and oriented itself toward the Atlantic Ocean. After carving out a Christian kingdom on the western portion of the Iberian peninsula, Portuguese kings gradually built and maintained a vast seaborne global empire that became central to the way Portugal understood its individuality as a nation-state. While the creation of this empire allows Portugal to claim an unusual number of "firsts" or distinctions in world and Western history, it also retarded Portugal's economic, social, and political development. It can be reasonably argued that the Revolution of 25 April 1974 was the most decisive event in Portugal's long history because it finally ended Portugal's oceanic mission and view of itself as an imperial power. After the 1974 Revolution, Portugal turned away from its global mission and vigorously reoriented itself toward Europe. Contemporary Portugal is now both in and of Europe.
       The turn toward Europe began immediately after 25 April 1974. Portugal granted independence to its African colonies in 1975. It was admitted to the European Council and took the first steps toward accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1976. On 28 March 1977, the Portuguese government officially applied for EEC membership. Because of Portugal's economic and social backwardness, which would require vast sums of EEC money to overcome, negotiations for membership were long and difficult. Finally, a treaty of accession was signed on 12 June 1985. Portugal officially joined the EEC (the European Union [EU] since 1993) on 1 January 1986. Since becoming a full-fledged member of the EU, Portugal has been steadily overcoming the economic and social underdevelopment caused by its imperial past and is becoming more like the rest of Europe.
       Membership in the EU has speeded up the structural transformation of Portugal's economy, which actually began during the Estado Novo. Investments made by the Estado Novo in Portugal's economy began to shift employment out of the agricultural sector, which, in 1950, accounted for 50 percent of Portugal's economically active population. Today, only 10 percent of the economically active population is employed in the agricultural sector (the highest among EU member states); 30 percent in the industrial sector (also the highest among EU member states); and 60 percent in the service sector (the lowest among EU member states). The economically active population numbers about 5,000,000 employed, 56 percent of whom are women. Women workers are the majority of the workforce in the agricultural and service sectors (the highest among the EU member states). The expansion of the service sector has been primarily in health care and education. Portugal has had the lowest unemployment rates among EU member states, with the overall rate never being more than 10 percent of the active population. Since joining the EU, the number of employers increased from 2.6 percent to 5.8 percent of the active population; self-employed from 16 to 19 percent; and employees from 65 to 70 percent. Twenty-six percent of the employers are women. Unemployment tends to hit younger workers in industry and transportation, women employed in domestic service, workers on short-term contracts, and poorly educated workers. Salaried workers earn only 63 percent of the EU average, and hourly workers only one-third to one-half of that earned by their EU counterparts. Despite having had the second highest growth of gross national product (GNP) per inhabitant (after Ireland) among EU member states, the above data suggest that while much has been accomplished in terms of modernizing the Portuguese economy, much remains to be done to bring Portugal's economy up to the level of the "average" EU member state.
       Membership in the EU has also speeded up changes in Portuguese society. Over the last 30 years, coastalization and urbanization have intensified. Fully 50 percent of Portuguese live in the coastal urban conurbations of Lisbon, Oporto, Braga, Aveiro, Coimbra, Viseu, Évora, and Faro. The Portuguese population is one of the oldest among EU member states (17.3 percent are 65 years of age or older) thanks to a considerable increase in life expectancy at birth (77.87 years for the total population, 74.6 years for men, 81.36 years for women) and one of the lowest birthrates (10.59 births/1,000) in Europe. Family size averages 2.8 persons per household, with the strict nuclear family (one or two generations) in which both parents work being typical. Common law marriages, cohabitating couples, and single-parent households are more and more common. The divorce rate has also increased. "Youth Culture" has developed. The young have their own meeting places, leisure-time activities, and nightlife (bars, clubs, and discos).
       All Portuguese citizens, whether they have contributed or not, have a right to an old-age pension, invalidity benefits, widowed persons' pension, as well as payments for disabilities, children, unemployment, and large families. There is a national minimum wage (€385 per month), which is low by EU standards. The rapid aging of Portugal's population has changed the ratio of contributors to pensioners to 1.7, the lowest in the EU. This has created deficits in Portugal's social security fund.
       The adult literacy rate is about 92 percent. Illiteracy is still found among the elderly. Although universal compulsory education up to grade 9 was achieved in 1980, only 21.2 percent of the population aged 25-64 had undergone secondary education, compared to an EU average of 65.7 percent. Portugal's higher education system currently consists of 14 state universities and 14 private universities, 15 state polytechnic institutions, one Catholic university, and one military academy. All in all, Portugal spends a greater percentage of its state budget on education than most EU member states. Despite this high level of expenditure, the troubled Portuguese education system does not perform well. Early leaving and repetition rates are among the highest among EU member states.
       After the Revolution of 25 April 1974, Portugal created a National Health Service, which today consists of 221 hospitals and 512 medical centers employing 33,751 doctors and 41,799 nurses. Like its education system, Portugal's medical system is inefficient. There are long waiting lists for appointments with specialists and for surgical procedures.
       Structural changes in Portugal's economy and society mean that social life in Portugal is not too different from that in other EU member states. A mass consumption society has been created. Televisions, telephones, refrigerators, cars, music equipment, mobile phones, and personal computers are commonplace. Sixty percent of Portuguese households possess at least one automobile, and 65 percent of Portuguese own their own home. Portuguese citizens are more aware of their legal rights than ever before. This has resulted in a trebling of the number of legal proceeding since 1960 and an eight-fold increase in the number of lawyers. In general, Portuguese society has become more permissive and secular; the Catholic Church and the armed forces are much less influential than in the past. Portugal's population is also much more culturally, religiously, and ethnically diverse, a consequence of the coming to Portugal of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, mainly from former African colonies.
       Portuguese are becoming more cosmopolitan and sophisticated through the impact of world media, the Internet, and the World Wide Web. A prime case in point came in the summer and early fall of 1999, with the extraordinary events in East Timor and the massive Portuguese popular responses. An internationally monitored referendum in East Timor, Portugal's former colony in the Indonesian archipelago and under Indonesian occupation from late 1975 to summer 1999, resulted in a vote of 78.5 percent for rejecting integration with Indonesia and for independence. When Indonesian prointegration gangs, aided by the Indonesian military, responded to the referendum with widespread brutality and threatened to reverse the verdict of the referendum, there was a spontaneous popular outpouring of protest in the cities and towns of Portugal. An avalanche of Portuguese e-mail fell on leaders and groups in the UN and in certain countries around the world as Portugal's diplomats, perhaps to compensate for the weak initial response to Indonesian armed aggression in 1975, called for the protection of East Timor as an independent state and for UN intervention to thwart Indonesian action. Using global communications networks, the Portuguese were able to mobilize UN and world public opinion against Indonesian actions and aided the eventual independence of East Timor on 20 May 2002.
       From the Revolution of 25 April 1974 until the 1990s, Portugal had a large number of political parties, one of the largest Communist parties in western Europe, frequent elections, and endemic cabinet instability. Since the 1990s, the number of political parties has been dramatically reduced and cabinet stability increased. Gradually, the Portuguese electorate has concentrated around two larger parties, the right-of-center Social Democrats (PSD) and the left-of-center Socialist (PS). In the 1980s, these two parties together garnered 65 percent of the vote and 70 percent of the seats in parliament. In 2005, these percentages had risen to 74 percent and 85 percent, respectively. In effect, Portugal is currently a two-party dominant system in which the two largest parties — PS and PSD—alternate in and out of power, not unlike the rotation of the two main political parties (the Regenerators and the Historicals) during the last decades (1850s to 1880s) of the liberal constitutional monarchy. As Portugal's democracy has consolidated, turnout rates for the eligible electorate have declined. In the 1970s, turnout was 85 percent. In Portugal's most recent parliamentary election (2005), turnout had fallen to 65 percent of the eligible electorate.
       Portugal has benefited greatly from membership in the EU, and whatever doubts remain about the price paid for membership, no Portuguese government in the near future can afford to sever this connection. The vast majority of Portuguese citizens see membership in the EU as a "good thing" and strongly believe that Portugal has benefited from membership. Only the Communist Party opposed membership because it reduces national sovereignty, serves the interests of capitalists not workers, and suffers from a democratic deficit. Despite the high level of support for the EU, Portuguese voters are increasingly not voting in elections for the European Parliament, however. Turnout for European Parliament elections fell from 40 percent of the eligible electorate in the 1999 elections to 38 percent in the 2004 elections.
       In sum, Portugal's turn toward Europe has done much to overcome its backwardness. However, despite the economic, social, and political progress made since 1986, Portugal has a long way to go before it can claim to be on a par with the level found even in Spain, much less the rest of western Europe. As Portugal struggles to move from underde-velopment, especially in the rural areas away from the coast, it must keep in mind the perils of too rapid modern development, which could damage two of its most precious assets: its scenery and environment. The growth and future prosperity of the economy will depend on the degree to which the government and the private sector will remain stewards of clean air, soil, water, and other finite resources on which the tourism industry depends and on which Portugal's world image as a unique place to visit rests. Currently, Portugal is investing heavily in renewable energy from solar, wind, and wave power in order to account for about 50 percent of its electricity needs by 2010. Portugal opened the world's largest solar power plant and the world's first commercial wave power farm in 2006.
       An American documentary film on Portugal produced in the 1970s described this little country as having "a Past in Search of a Future." In the years after the Revolution of 25 April 1974, it could be said that Portugal is now living in "a Present in Search of a Future." Increasingly, that future lies in Europe as an active and productive member of the EU.

    Historical dictionary of Portugal > Historical Portugal

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  • Morocco — Moroccan /meuh rok euhn/, adj., n. /meuh rok oh/, n. 1. French, Maroc. Spanish, Marruecos. a kingdom in NW Africa: formed from a sultanate that was divided into two protectorates (French Morocco and Spanish Morocco) and an international zone.… …   Universalium

  • Randomized controlled trial — Flowchart of four phases (enrollment, intervention allocation, follow up, and data analysis) of a parallel randomized trial of two groups, modified from the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) 2010 Statement[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Securitization — is a structured finance process, which involves pooling and repackaging of cash flow producing financial assets into securities that are then sold to investors. The name securitization is derived from the fact that the form of financial… …   Wikipedia

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