[Sp. cid chief, commander, a. Arab. sayyid, lord.]
A title given in Spanish literature to Ruy Diaz, Count of Bivar, a champion of Christianity against the Moors in the 11th century; and to the epic celebrating his exploits.
[1687. J. Philips, trans. Don. Quix., 599. And here it is that Cid Hamet takes the Opportunity to tell yee [etc.].]
1755. Smollett, Ibid., I. i. 3. Cid Ruy Dias was an excellent knight.
1808. Southey (title), Chronicle of the Cid.
1846. Rouse, trans. Sismondi’s Lit Europe, II. xxiii. 96. Remarks on the situation of Spain at the period when the Cid was written. Ibid. The five Moorish Generals whom he had vanquished bestowed upon him the title of es Sayd (or, my Lord) whence the name Cid had its origin.
