commando

 
Pronunciation: /kəˈmɑːndəʊ/

noun (plural commandos)

  • a soldier specially trained for carrying out raids: [as modifier]: a commando attack
  • a unit of commandos: he saw service in a Marine Commando

Phrases

go commando

informal wear no underpants.

Origin:

late 18th century (denoting a militia, originally consisting of Boers in South Africa): from Portuguese (earlier form of comando), from commandar 'to command', from late Latin commandare (see command)

Spelling rule

The plural of commando is made in the usual way, by adding -s: (commandos).