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Cacique

3 stages from Taino to English.

Today it means a local political boss or powerful leader, especially in Latin American contexts

Where does the word "cacique" come from? It comes from Taino kasike, passing through Spanish before entering English (1550s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
kasike
Taino · pre-1500s
"a chief or leader"
named a hereditary chief or leader of a Taino community
2
Stage 2 of 3
cacique
Spanish · 1510s
"a local political boss or chief"
adopted by Spanish colonizers to describe indigenous and later local political leaders
3
Stage 3 of 3
cacique
English · 1550s
"a local political boss, especially in Latin America"
borrowed into English through accounts of Spanish colonial administration
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