guerriglia

guerrilla warfare

noun gwehr-REEL-lyah Rare

Origin: From Spanish guerrilla, diminutive of guerra (war).

Usage Note

Guerriglia refers to the tactics of irregular warfare — ambushes, sabotage, hit-and-run attacks — rather than to the fighters themselves (who are guerriglieri). It is a feminine noun: la guerriglia. Figuratively it can describe any aggressive, unconventional campaign, such as guerriglia urbana (urban unrest).

Examples

"La guerriglia durò anni nelle montagne."

Natural Translation

The guerrilla warfare lasted years in the mountains.

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