guerrilla
pronunciation
How to pronounce guerrilla in British English:
UK [gəˈrɪlə]
How to pronounce guerrilla in American English:
US [ɡəˈrɪlə]
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- Noun:
- a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment
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- Adjective:
- used of independent armed resistance forces
Word Origin
- guerrilla (n.)
- "fighter in an irregular, independent armed force," 1809, from Spanish guerrilla "body of skirmishers, skirmishing warfare," literally "little war," diminutive of guerra "war," from a Germanic source cognate with Old High German werra "strife, conflict, war," from Proto-Germanic *werra- (see war (n.)). Acquired by English during the Peninsular War (1808-1814), when bands of Spanish peasants and shepherds annoyed the occupying French. 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." Figurative use by 1861. As an adjective from 1811.
Example
- 1. Almost entirely bereft of popular support , the guerrilla campaign flopped .
- 2. Mention colombia , and most people think of cocaine , kidnappings and guerrilla violence .
- 3. Mr uribe freed scores of guerrilla prisoners .
- 4. Captured guerrilla documents suggest that venezuelan military and intelligence officers have actively helped the guerrillas .
- 5. The quelling of guerrilla movements in colombia and peru has helped spur their new economic exuberance .