condottiere

[ kawn-duh-tyair-ey, -tyair-ee; Italian kawn-dawt-tye-re ]

noun

, plural con·dot·tie·ri [kawn-d, uh, -, tyair, -ee, kawn-dawt-, tye, -, r, ee].

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

condottiere

/ ˌkɒndɒˈtjɛərɪ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of condottiere¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of condottiere¹

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

Example Sentences

How strange that this offspring of the rough Condottiere and the lewd woman should have a majesty such as one imagines of a mighty empress descended from countless kings.

From Project Gutenberg

When a separate condottiere hit upon a convenient site for a port and founded a city either upon the sea-board or in some inland situation accessible from the port, his work usually came to be recognised by the creation of a separate government.

From Project Gutenberg

It was no gloomy stronghold such as the French kings erected in the woods of Tourraine, but built of the yellow Subasian stone it seemed more like a mighty palace with windows large and square, whence many a condottiere and many a noble prisoner leant out to look upon the splendid sweep of country from Perugia to Spoleto.

From Project Gutenberg

The condottiere, Franz von Sickingen, the Duke of Bouillon, and his brother �rard de la Marck, Bishop of Li�ge, offended by Francis's treatment of them, went over to the Court of Brussels and upheld the interest of the Spanish king.

From Project Gutenberg

Like the condottiere that he was, he did not heed hard knocks provided the pay were good.

From Project Gutenberg