The Spanish word 'comandante' (meaning 'commander') comes from Late Latin 'commandans' meaning 'commanding'. This Late Latin term developed from 'commandare' ('to command'), which was formed by combining two Latin elements: the prefix 'com-' meaning 'together, completely' and the verb 'mandare' meaning 'to entrust, command'. The Spanish verb 'comandar' developed from Late Latin 'commandare', and 'comandante' was formed by adding the present participle suffix '-nte' to 'comandar', literally meaning 'one who commands'.

Several common Spanish words share this etymology, including the verb 'mandar' (to order, command), which comes directly from Latin 'mandare'. The prefix 'com-' appears in many Spanish words to indicate completeness or togetherness, such as 'comedor' (dining room), 'compañero' (companion), and 'completo' (complete). The suffix '-nte' is commonly used to form present participles that function as nouns, as in 'estudiante' (student) and 'cantante' (singer).

English speakers can relate 'comandante' to several familiar English words. Most obviously, there's 'command' and 'commander', which share the same Latin root 'commandare'. The word 'mandate' is also related, coming from Latin 'mandare'. You can see how all these words share the core meaning of giving orders or having authority. The 'com-' prefix appears in many English words too, like 'combine', 'complete', and 'communicate', always carrying the sense of 'together' or 'completely'.