cabana
UK[kəˈbɑːnə]US[kəˈbɑːnə]
n
A small hut, shelter, or cabin, especially one used as a changing room at a beach or swimming pool.
n
A structure resembling a cabin, often with an open side, used for relaxation in a garden or by a pool.
Etymology
The English word 'cabana' is a direct borrowing from the Spanish 'cabaña', meaning a small cabin or hut. The Spanish term itself evolved from the Late Latin 'capanna', meaning a simple, rustic shelter. This Latin word is likely of pre-Roman, possibly Celtic or Iberian, origin, reflecting the basic human need for simple, temporary shelter. The word entered English in the late 19th century, initially in reference to beachside changing huts, and its meaning has since expanded to include any small, often open-sided structure used for leisure near water.
Analysis
This word is a simplex loanword from Spanish. Its spelling and form are borrowed as a whole unit into English.
Examples
We rented a cabana by the pool for the afternoon.
The beach resort provides cabanas for guests to store their belongings and change clothes.
Their backyard features a comfortable cabana with a thatched roof.