Also 6 alcaydy, 8 alcaid. [Sp. alcaide, formerly alcayde, the captain of a castle, ad. Arab. al-qāsīd the leader, f. qāda to lead.] The governor or commander of a fortress; the warden of a prison; (in Spain, Portugal, Barbary, etc.).
1502. Arnold, Chron. (1811), 232. The honorable Peter Gracia Carnayl, alcaydy ordinary of this said towne.
1698. Lond. Gaz., mmmccccxxii/1. The Alcayde, who Commands the Moors. Ibid. (1707), mmmmcccli/2. Into the Custody of the Alcaid of Tangier.
1846. Prescott, Ferd. & Isab., II. xiii. 30. The sufferings of the citizens softened the stern heart of the alcayde.
¶ Sometimes confounded with ALCALDE.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Alcaid is also written Alcade, Alcalde, and Alcayd. The Spanish alcaid answers in good measure to the French prevost, and English justice of peace.
