caïd
big shot, kingpin
noun kah-EED Rare
Origin: From Arabic 'qā'id' (leader, chief), entering French via North African Arabic.
Also means
gang leader
Usage Note
Caïd originally denoted a North African tribal chief or local magistrate under colonial rule, but in modern informal French it means a powerful figure in a criminal network or, more loosely, someone who dominates a group. The accent on the 'i' is essential — omitting it changes the pronunciation.
Examples
"Il se prend pour le caïd du quartier."
Natural Translation
He thinks he's the big shot of the neighbourhood.
Literal Translation
He takes himself for the kingpin of the neighbourhood.
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