Legal Definitions - caballeria

Definition: Caballeria (kah-bah-ye-ree-ah) is a Spanish term used in Spanish law to refer to an allotment of land in regions that were formerly conquered by Spain, such as Mexico and the southwestern United States. Originally, it was a Spanish feudal tenure held by a soldier, but it eventually came to refer to an area of land. In the United States, it usually measures 100 by 200 feet, while in Mexico and other former Spanish territories, it can range from 30 to 200 acres.

Example: In Mexico, a farmer owns a caballeria of land that measures 50 acres.

Explanation: This example illustrates how a caballeria can refer to a specific area of land that is owned by an individual. In this case, the farmer owns a caballeria that measures 50 acres, which is within the range of caballeria sizes in Mexico.