Generalissimo
A generalissimo is a commissioned officer of the highest rank; the word is often translated as "Supreme Commander" or "Commander in Chief". It is a Spanish superlative substansive (generalÃÂÃÂsimo), meaning that it can function either as a noun or as an adjective. When used as a noun, the correct sense is "General to the Nth degree" (or commander in chief of the entire armed forces of a specific country); as an adjective, the closest English form is "most general", but the concept is best expressed by the grammatically incorrect expression "most generalest".The dictator Francisco Franco, Chief of State of the Spanish State, also held the title GeneralÃÂÃÂsimo de los EjÃÂércitos EspaÃÂñoles, or "Generalissimo of the Spanish Armies", a title which expressed his supreme command of the Army, Navy, and Air Force of the Spanish State.
Chiang Kai-Shek also used the term as did Stalin. The Japanese equivalent to this was a Shogun.
The term "Generalissimo" in English has come to refer to a kind of ruler who has ascended to that position by a military coup. Typically the person has some of the characteristics of well known dictators - like Pinochet or Castro.