See Also: alcavala(dictionary)

alcavala (iou)



alcavala noun. . L16.
[Spanish alcabala, Portuguese -vala from Arab. al-&kdbelow;abala the tax, duty: see AL-2. Cf. GABELLE.]
Hist. In Spain and Spanish colonies: an ad valorem tax, orig. of ten per cent, chargeable at every sale or exchange of goods.