brigand
/ˈbrɪɡ(ə)nd
/noun
A member of a gang that ambushes and robs people in forests and mountains.This was a reference to the place's reputation in the past as a dangerous spot for highwaymen and brigands....
- They are yesteryear's forest brigands who have turned protectors.
- ‘He was a brigand, impostor and forger,’ he says.
Derivatives
brigandage
/ noun ...- Bodin distinguished between war and other forms of organized violence such as raiding and brigandage.
- In February 1801 special criminal courts with wide powers were created to deal with brigandage.
- After nine years of brigandage, he turned back to Wessex and began to ‘contend for the kingdom.’
brigandry
- Calvinus had died rich, the protector of innumerable sheep-farmers, the scourge of Southern brigandry.
- In this role he set out to deal with brigandry and banditry of the Isaurian warlord Indacus.
- After the Jacobite rebellion failed Rob continued his brigandry, and had his finger in more than one illegal pie.
Origin
Late Middle English (also denoting an irregular foot soldier): from Old French, from Italian brigante, literally '(person) contending', from brigare 'contend' (see brigade).
Rhymes
- French blue
- French boiler
- French brace
- French brandy
- French bread
- French broom
- French brush
- French bulldog
- French Canadian
- French Canadianism
- French canvas
- French casement
- French chalk
- French clock
- French colonial
- French Congo
- French cricket
- French crown
- French cruller
- French cuff
- French curve
- French-cut
- French, Daniel Chester
- French defence
- French defense