condottiere

[ kawn-duh-tyair-ey, -tyair-ee; Italian kawn-dawt-tye-re ]
/ ˌkɔn dəˈtyɛər eɪ, -ˈtyɛər i; Italian ˌkɔn dɔtˈtyɛ rɛ /

noun, plural con·dot·tie·ri [kawn-duh-tyair-ee; Italian kawn-dawt-tye-ree] /ˌkɔn dəˈtyɛər i; Italian ˌkɔn dɔtˈtyɛ ri/.

a leader of a private band of mercenary soldiers in Italy, especially in the 14th and 15th centuries.
any mercenary; soldier of fortune.

Origin of condottiere

1785–95; < Italian, equivalent to condott(o) (< Latin conductus hired man, past participle of condūcere to conduce; see conduct) + -iere < Latin -ārius -ary

Example sentences from the Web for condottiere

British Dictionary definitions for condottiere

condottiere
/ (ˌkɒndɒˈtjɛərɪ) /

noun plural -ri (-riː)

a commander or soldier in a professional mercenary company in Europe from the 13th to the 16th centuries

Word Origin for condottiere

C18: from Italian, from condotto leadership, from condurre to lead, from Latin condūcere; see conduct