alfiere

Italian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /alˈfjɛ.re/
• Rhymes: -ɛre
• Hyphenation: al‧fiè‧re

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Spanish alférez, from Arabic الفَارِس (al-fāris, “the horseman; the knight”) via Andalusian Arabic.

Noun

alfiere m (plural alfieri, feminine alfiera)

1. (military, sports, also figurative) standard-bearer, flag-bearer

   Synonyms: gonfaloniere, portabandiera, portainsegna, stendardiere, (historical or literary) vessillario, (historical or literary) vessillifero

2. (military) ensign (officer)

   Synonym: guardiamarina

3. (figurative) pioneer, forerunner

   Synonyms: antesignano, iniziatore, precorritore, precursore

4. (sports, especially cycling) the most important athlete in a team, the captain

   Synonyms: capitano, caposquadra

Derived terms

• Alfieri

Related terms

• alfana

Descendants

• → Albanian: alfier

Etymology 2

From Arabic الفِيل (al-fīl, literally “the elephant”), influenced from earlier alfino by the above term. Compare Old French aufin, Spanish alfil and others.

Noun

alfiere m (plural alfieri)

1. (chess) bishop

   alfiere camposcuro ― dark-squared bishop

Anagrams

• feriale