caudillo

[ kaw-deel-yoh, -dee-oh; Spanish kou-thee-lyaw, -thee-yaw ]

noun

, plural cau·dil·los [kaw-, deel, -yohz, -, dee, -ohz, kaw-, thee, -lyaws, -, thee, -yaws].

1. (in Spanish-speaking countries) a head of state, especially a military dictator.

caudillo

/ kauˈðiʎo; kɔːˈdiːljəʊ /

noun

1. (in Spanish-speaking countries) a military or political leader

Word History and Origins

Origin of caudillo¹

1850–55; < Spanish < Late Latin capitellum, equivalent to Latin capit- (stem of caput ) head + -ellum diminutive suffix; -elle

Word History and Origins

Origin of caudillo¹

Spanish, from Late Latin capitellum, diminutive of Latin caput head

Example Sentences

Rulers who don’t accept any narrative of reality that doesn’t cast them as heroic caudillos.

From Time

Problem is, Maduro has all of the troubles and none of the charm or the political muscle of the legendary caudillo he succeeded.

From The Daily Beast

Like Assange, Snowden is a tempting piece on the Ecuadoran caudillo's geopolitical game board.

From The Daily Beast

Es el caudillo actual de grandes condiciones para el mando, y adems honrado y sencillo.

From Project Gutenberg

El Caudillo has shown how the Motherland can frustrate the war mongers.

From Project Gutenberg

Though Urquiza was a caudillo he had no such ambition for supreme power as plagued Rosas.

From Project Gutenberg