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; see conduct) + -iere < Latin -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

From this it resulted that war was not merely the trade of the condottiere, but also his monopoly, and he was thus able to obtain whatever terms he asked, whether money payments or political concessions.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7 "Columbus" to "Condottiere" 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)

Adjoining the east porch is the Capella Colleoni, the mausoleum of Bartolommeo Colleoni the celebrated condottiere of the fifteenth century, whose equestrian statue in front of the church of SS.

From Cathedral Cities of Italy by Collins, William Wiehe

Seeing that Bonaparte was then known merely as an able condottiere, not as the re-organizer of French society, Pitt's haughty attitude, though deplorable, is intelligible.

From William Pitt and the Great War by Rose, John Holland

Like the condottiere that he was, he did not heed hard knocks provided the pay were good.

From Lord Chatham His Early Life and Connections by Rosebery, Archibald Phillip Primrose