alcaide

noun

al·​cai·​de al-ˈkī-dē How to pronounce alcaide (audio)
variants or alcayde
: a commander of a castle or fortress (as among Spaniards, Portuguese, or Moors)

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish alcaide, borrowed from Arabic al-qāʼid, from al "the" + qāʼid "leader, commander," noun derivative from active participle of qāda "to lead"

First Known Use

circa 1503, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alcaide was circa 1503

Dictionary Entries Near alcaide

Cite this Entry

“Alcaide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcaide. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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