View synonyms for bandit

bandit

[ ban-dit ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural ban·dits or (Rare) ban·dit·ti [ban-, dit, -ee].

a robber, especially a member of a gang or marauding band.
Synonyms: desperado, brigand
an outlaw or highwayman.
Synonyms: desperado, brigand
Informal.
1. a person who takes unfair advantage of others, as a merchant who overcharges; swindler; cheat.
2. a vendor, cab driver, etc., who operates a business or works without a required license or permit, and without observing the usual rules or practices.
Military Informal. an enemy aircraft, especially an attacking fighter.

bandit

/ ˈbændɪt /

noun

a robber, esp a member of an armed gang; brigand

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Derived Forms

ˈbanditry, noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of bandit¹

First recorded in 1585–95; earlier bandetto, plural banditti, from Italian banditi “outlaws,” plural of bandito “proscribed,” past participle of bandire “banish, exile, announce publicly,” from Gothic bandwjan “to make a sign, indicate” ( band ¹ ) with verb suffix -ire, from Latin -īre

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Word History and Origins

Origin of bandit¹

C16: from Italian bandito , literally: banished man, from bandire to proscribe, from bando edict, ban ¹

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

make out like a bandit, Slang. to be extremely successful; profit greatly:
The early investors in the company have made out like bandits.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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