Definition

A person who leads a group of hired soldiers, especially in Europe during the 14th to 16th centuries.

Example

The condottiere commanded his troops with great skill during the battle.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a condottiere?

Yeah, I think they were like mercenary leaders in Italy, right?

Exactly! They were quite influential during the Renaissance.

It’s fascinating how they shaped military history back then.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Condottiere is derived from the Italian word 'condotta' (meaning contract or leadership) and the suffix '-iere' (meaning one who). The term originally referred to a leader of a band of mercenaries in Italy during the Renaissance, emphasizing the contractual nature of their service.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'contract' ('condotta') that a leader ('-iere') has with mercenaries, which helps you remember that a condottiere is a leader of mercenaries.

Visually Confused Words