A Portuguese trading post, usually fortified and built in coastal areas along the West and East Africancoasts, Indian Ocean and Brazil, from 1445 onward. It served simultaneously as market, warehouse, navigation support and customs, and was governed by a feitor (factor) to dominate the local trade with the Portuguese kingdom (and thence to Europe). Inspired by medieval European factories, feitorias were supplanted in the 16th century by rival Dutch and British colonial factories (trading posts).
Origin
Borrowed from Portuguese feitoria.
Modern English dictionary
Explore and search massive catalog of over 900,000 word meanings.
Word of the Day
Get a curated memorable word every day.
Challenge yourself
Level up your vocabulary by setting personal goals.