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brigand

 - 3 dictionary results

brig⋅and

  [brig-uhnd]
Use brigand in a Sentence
–noun
a bandit, esp. one of a band of robbers in mountain or forest regions.
Origin:
1350–1400; var. of ME briga(u)nt < MF brigand < OIt brigante companion, member of an armed company, equiv. to brig(are) to treat, deal (with), make war (deriv. of briga trouble, strife; of uncert. orig.) + -ante -ant

Related forms:
brig⋅and⋅age, noun
brig⋅and⋅ish, adjective
brig⋅and⋅ish⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
outlaw, highwayman, desperado, cutthroat.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To brigand
brig·and   (brĭg'ənd)   
n.  A robber or bandit, especially one of an outlaw band.

[Middle English brigaunt, from Old French, from Old Italian brigante, skirmisher, from present participle of brigare, to fight; see brigade.]
brig'and·age (-ən-dĭj), brig'and·ism n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

brigand 
c.1400, "lightly armed foot soldier," from O.Fr. brigand, originally "foot soldier," from It. brigante "trooper, skirmisher," from brigare (see brigade). Sense of "one who lives by pillaging" is from 1421, reflecting the lack of distinction between professional mercenary armies and armed, organized criminals.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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