caudillo

American  

[kaw-deel-yoh, -dee-oh, kou-thee-lyaw, -thee-yaw] / kɔˈdil yoʊ, -ˈdi oʊ, kaʊˈði lyɔ, -ˈði yɔ /

noun

plural

caudillos

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

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caudillo British  

/ kɔːˈdiːljəʊ, kauˈðiʎo /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of caudillo

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

Example Sentences

“I do not aspire to be a ‘moral leader,’ a ‘maximum boss,’ a ‘caudillo,’” he said Monday.

From Seattle Times

One could imagine a whole constellation of caudillo narratives, in which Vargas Llosa presented the Cold War history of Latin America as a single vast web of conspiracies and assassinations.

From New York Times

When the novel was published in the mid-'70s, the composite model for this imperishable tyrant was Spain’s Francisco Franco and the rogues’ gallery of Caribbean and Latin American caudillos, or “strong men.”

From Los Angeles Times

The classical caudillo wins and loses his wars on the battlefield.

From Los Angeles Times

So why are they backing the caudillo for president?

From Washington Post