brigadistaEtymologyFrom Spanish brigadista. By surface analysis, brigade + -ista.brigadista means A member of the Spanish International Brigades (Brigadas Internacionales). Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 82 out of 100.nounA member of the Spanish International Brigades (Brigadas Internacionales).“Maybe they're a little leary of sending all these queers to their unsuspecting Nicaraguan friends but they have shown no hesitation accepting our applications to be brigadistas.”