guerrilla

guerrilla
guerrilla (n.) "fighter in an irregular, independent armed force," 1809, from Sp. guerrilla "body of skirmishers, skirmishing warfare," lit. "little war," dim. of guerra "war," from a Germanic source (Cf. O.H.G. werra "strife, conflict, war;" see WAR (Cf. war)). Figurative use by 1861. As an adjective from 1811. Acquired by English during the Peninsular War (1808-1814); purists failed in their attempt to keep this word restricted to "irregular warfare" and prevent it taking on the sense properly belonging to guerrillero "guerrilla fighter."

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Guerrilla — Guer*ril la, a. Pertaining to, or engaged in, warfare carried on irregularly and by independent bands; as, a guerrilla party; guerrilla warfare. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • guerrilla — (Del dim. de guerra). 1. f. escaramuza (ǁ pelea de poca importancia). 2. Partida de tropa ligera, que hace las descubiertas y rompe las primeras escaramuzas. 3. Partida de paisanos, por lo común no muy numerosa, que al mando de un jefe particular …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • guerrilla — is the recommended spelling in English for the word meaning ‘a member of an independent fighting force’, not the common variant guerilla. It is pronounced gǝ ril ǝ, like gorilla (the animal) …   Modern English usage

  • guerrilla — [n] bushfighter commando, freedom fighter, irregular, mercenary, professional soldier, resistance fighter, soldier of fortune, terrorist, underground fighter; concept 358 …   New thesaurus

  • guerrilla — (also guerilla) ► NOUN ▪ a member of a small independent group fighting against the government or regular forces. ORIGIN Spanish, little war …   English terms dictionary

  • guerrilla — [gə ril′ə] n. [Sp, dim. of guerra, war < Fr guerre or It guerra, both < Frank * werra: see WAR1] 1. Archaic warfare carried on by guerrillas 2. any member of a small defensive force of irregular soldiers, usually volunteers, making surprise …   English World dictionary

  • guerrilla — guerrillaism, n. /geuh ril euh/, n. 1. a member of a band of irregular soldiers that uses guerrilla warfare, harassing the enemy by surprise raids, sabotaging communication and supply lines, etc. adj. 2. pertaining to such fighters or their… …   Universalium

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