brigand

Noun
Synonyms: bandit

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a bandSynonyms: bandit
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Brigand \Brig"and\ (br[i^]g"and), n. [F. brigand, OF. brigant light-armed soldier, fr. LL. brigans light-armed soldier (cf. It. brigante.) fr. brigare to strive, contend, fr. briga quarrel; prob. of German origin, and akin to E. break; cf. Goth. brikan to break, brakja strife. Cf. Brigue.]

1.A light-armed, irregular foot soldier. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

2.A lawless fellow who lives by plunder; one of a band of robbers; especially, one of a gang living in mountain retreats; a highwayman; a freebooter. [1913 Webster]

Giving them not a little the air of brigands or banditti.— Jeffery.[1913 Webster]
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