caudillismo

[ kaw-dil-yiz-moh, ‑dee-yiz-; Spanish kou-thee-lyeez-maw, ‑thee-yeez-maw ]

noun

, plural cau·dil·lis·mos [kaw-dil-, yiz, -mohz, ‑dee-, yiz, -, kou-, th, ee-, lyeez, -maws].

1. a system of government by a caudillo.
2. a state or government in which a caudillo exercises absolute power.

Word History and Origins

Origin of caudillismo¹

First recorded in 1955–60; from Spanish; caudillo ( def ) + suffix -ismo -ism ( def )