alcayde

[al-kahy-dee; Spanish ahl-kahy-th e]

noun, plural al·cay·des

[al-kahy-deez; Spanish ahl-kahy-th es] /ælˈkaɪ diz; Spanish ɑlˈkaɪ ðɛs/.

alcaide.

alcaide

or al·cay·de

[al-kahy-dee; Spanish ahl-kahy-th e]

noun, plural al·cai·des

[al-kahy-deez; Spanish ahl-kahy-th es] /ælˈkaɪ diz; Spanish ɑlˈkaɪ ðɛs/. (in Spain, Portugal, Southwestern U.S., etc.)

a commander of a fortress.
a jailer; the warden of a prison.

Origin of alcaide

1495–1505; < Spanish < Arabic al-qā'id the leader

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for alcayde

Historical Examples of alcayde

But this brought him a visit from the alcayde, who commanded him to "forbear that noise."
The Spanish Brothers
Deborah Alcock
The Alcayde set a watch for them, which was discovered, and the Jew escaped.
Records of The Spanish Inquisition
Andrew Dickson White
I am a daughter of that prison, my father was alcayde, and my son might hope to be so, were he not a fool.
The Bible in Spain
George Borrow
“Your worship is right,” said the alcayde with a bow, but in a low voice.
The Bible in Spain
George Borrow
The alcayde was on the battlements of his castle, surrounded by his knights.
Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada
Washington Irving

British Dictionary definitions for alcayde

alcaide

noun (in Spain and Spanish America)

the commander of a fortress or castle
the governor of a prison

Word Origin for alcaide

C16: from Spanish, from Arabic al-qā'id the captain, commander, from qād to give orders

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012