cacique
UK[kəˈsiːk]US[kəˈsiːk]
n
a native chief or leader in areas of the west indies, mexico, peru, or the philippines during the spanish colonial era.
n
a local political boss in spain or latin america.
Etymology
the word 'cacique' entered the english language via spanish colonial accounts, which adopted the term from the taíno word 'kasike', meaning 'chief' or 'leader'. the taíno were the indigenous people of the caribbean islands encountered by christopher columbus. spanish chroniclers used this term broadly to refer to local rulers throughout their new world territories, from the antilles to parts of south america. consequently, in english, it specifically denotes an indigenous chief within the historical context of spanish colonization, and by semantic extension, a powerful local political boss in modern spanish-speaking regions.
Analysis
this word is a direct loanword from spanish, which itself borrowed it from the arawakan (taíno) language of the caribbean. it is not productively formed from classical greek or latin morphemes within english and therefore is not segmented.
Examples
the spanish conquistadors negotiated with the local cacique for provisions and guidance.
in some rural provinces, the election was heavily influenced by the regional cacique.
historical records describe the cacique as both a political and spiritual authority for his people.