kəˈman(ˌ)dō, -maan-, -mȧn- noun
( plural commandos or commandoes )
Etymology: Afrikaans kommando unit of militia, from Dutch commando command, from Spanish comando, from comandar to command, from French commander, from Old French comander — more at command
1. Africa
a.
(1) : a raid or expedition — used especially in the phrase on commando
(2) : militia service in the Boer army
b.
(1) : a military unit or command of the Boers
(2) : a member of a Boer military unit
2.
a.
(1) : a military unit of specially trained amphibious shock troops organized for hit-and-run raids into enemy territory for sabotage, destruction of stores and communications, obtaining information, and seizure of captives
(2) : a member of a commando unit or other specialized raiders' organization — compare ranger
b.
(1) : any body of troops (as of frontier fighters or guerrillas) or of insurrectionists or saboteurs that is felt to resemble a commando unit on account of some similarity of function or tactics (as that of engagement in hit-and-run raids)
(2) : a member of such a body
c. : a raid or attack of the type characteristic of commando units