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ACTAS. Acts or proceedings.

AGUARDIENTE. Liquor made from sugar cane.

ALBAÑIL. Bricklayer or stone mason.

ACHAQUE. Physical infirmity, especially habitual illness associated with old age.

ALCALDE ORDINARIO. Annually elected judge of municipal council.

ALCABALA. Sales tax.

ALFÉREZ MAYOR. Senior regidor ; municipal standard-bearer.

ALHORRA. Crop blight.

ALMAJORIFAZGO. Tax on imports and exports.

ALMUD. Unit of measure; one-twelfth of a fanega .

ALTERNATIVA. System of loading ships on basis of their arrival at port. First arrival must load and depart before next could receive cargo.

ARBOLEDA. Grove of cacao trees.

ÁRBOLES DE LA TIERRA. Indigenous cacao trees.

ARROBA. Unit of measure; about 11.5 kilograms or 25 pounds.

ASIENTISTA. Holder of asiento ; slave factor.

ASIENTO. A contract. The contract to supply slaves to the colony.

AUDIENCIA. The court or governing body of a region.