[con.dot.tie.re] n, pl -tie.ri [It, fr. condotta troop of mercenaries, fr. fem. of condotto, pp. of condurre to conduct, hire, fr. L conducere] (1794) 1: a leader of a band of mercenaries common in Europe between the 14th and 16th centuries; also: a member of such a band
2: a mercenary soldier