guerrilla

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A member of a small, unofficial armed group that fights a stronger force using surprise attacks.

   The guerrillas attacked the convoy from the hills at dawn.

2. 2
   adj

   Relating to fighting carried out by small, independent armed groups.

   The rebels relied on guerrilla tactics to wear down the army.

3. 3
   adj

   Using clever, unconventional, low-cost methods to achieve something.

   The startup used guerrilla marketing to attract attention.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Guerrilla entered English in the early 19th century from Spanish guerrilla, a diminutive of guerra, “war,” and thus literally “little war.” It was first used of the Spanish partisans who fought irregularly against Napoleon’s invading forces.

Borrowed from Spanish guerrilla, diminutive of guerra (“war”), coined during the Peninsular War.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary