condottiere
/ˌkɒndɒˈtjɛːreɪ
/ /ˌkɒndɒˈtjɛːri/noun (plural condottieri pronounced same) historical
A leader or member of a troop of mercenaries, especially in Italy.The situation reminds us of fifteenth-century Italy, where casualty-averse mercenary condottieri conducted protracted and nearly bloodless warfare....
- These organizations ultimately developed in Italy as condottieri (literally, military contractors), who offered their services to the highest bidder.
- Confronted by condottieri like Werner of Urslingen, the justifiably self-styled ‘Enemy of God, Pity, and Mercy,’ governments usually coughed up.
Origin
Italian, from condotto 'troop under contract', from condotta 'a contract', from condurre 'conduct', from Latin conducere (see conduct).