coronel

colonel

noun koh-roh-NEL Less Common

Origin: From Italian colonnello (column commander), via French colonel.

Usage Note

Coronel is a military rank between teniente coronel and general de brigada. The feminine form coronela exists but military usage often keeps coronel for women officers as well. The spelling with -nel (not -nnel) trips up Spanish-English bilinguals who follow English spelling.

Examples

"El coronel ordenó la retirada inmediata."

Natural Translation

The colonel ordered the immediate retreat.

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