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brigandish

 - 2 dictionary results

brig⋅and

[brig-uhnd]
–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


brig⋅and⋅age, noun
brig⋅and⋅ish, adjective
brig⋅and⋅ish⋅ly, adverb


outlaw, highwayman, desperado, cutthroat.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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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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