condottiere

American  

[kawn-duh-tyair-ey, -tyair-ee, kawn-dawt-tye-re] / ˌkɔn dəˈtyɛər eɪ, -ˈtyɛər i, ˌkɔn dɔtˈtyɛ rɛ /

noun

plural

condottieri

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.

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condottiere British  

/ ˌkɒndɒˈtjɛərɪ /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of condottiere

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

Example Sentences

After serving some time as a condottiere with the princes of Southern Italy, he was entrusted by the Genoese with the reconstruction of their fleet.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various

She pointed out to the condottiere that all the advantage lay for him in doing what she desired and leaving undone what was desired by Messer Simone.

From The God of Love by McCarthy, Justin H. (Justin Huntly)

Dlugosz brought Olesnicki the red hat from Rome in 1449, and shortly afterwards was despatched to Hungary to mediate between Hunyadi and the Bohemian condottiere Giszkra, a difficult mission which he most successfully accomplished.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various

This he did with the help of the Castilian party, who hoped to profit by the services of the famous condottiere.

From Lucretia Borgia According to Original Documents and Correspondence of Her Day by Gregorovius, Ferdinand

Seeing that the indignation of her mistress merely amused the condottiere the dwarf took a cajoling tone.

From Romance of Roman Villas (The Renaissance) by Champney, Elizabeth W. (Elizabeth Williams)