cacique

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

Cacique’s story begins in Taino: kasike meant “a chief or leader.” Named a hereditary chief or leader of a Taino community. By 1510s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as cacique. The first indigenous word adopted by the Spanish, recorded by Columbus's crews in Hispaniola. It reached English by 1550s as cacique. Borrowed into English through accounts of Spanish colonial administration. Today, cacique means a local political boss or powerful leader, especially in Latin American contexts.

1. Stage 1 · Taino · pre-1500s kasike "a chief or leader", named a hereditary chief or leader of a Taino community.
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1510s cacique "a local political boss or chief", the first indigenous word adopted by the Spanish, recorded by Columbus's crews in Hispaniola.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1550s cacique "a local political boss, especially in Latin America", borrowed into English through accounts of Spanish colonial administration.