dacoit

or da·koit

[ duh-koit ]

noun
  1. in India and Myanmar (Burma), a member of a class of criminals who engage in organized robbery and murder.

Origin of dacoit

1
First recorded in 1800–10, dacoit is from the Hindi word ḍakait

Words Nearby dacoit

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use dacoit in a sentence

  • They had to live, and his methods were the same as those of other dacoit leaders.

    The Pacification of Burma | Sir Charles Haukes Todd Crosthwaite
  • It was said that men joined the dacoit gangs in consequence.

    The Pacification of Burma | Sir Charles Haukes Todd Crosthwaite
  • At Thayetmyo the region of dacoit gangs and disturbances was reached.

    The Pacification of Burma | Sir Charles Haukes Todd Crosthwaite
  • "Ye c'n no more kape a McKim from foightin' thin ye c'n kape a dacoit from staylin," he chuckled.

    The Promise | James B. Hendryx
  • The districts south of Katha, namely Shwbo and Ye-u, were controlled by dacoit gangs under active leaders.

    The Pacification of Burma | Sir Charles Haukes Todd Crosthwaite

British Dictionary definitions for dacoit

dacoit

/ (dəˈkɔɪt) /


noun
  1. (in India and Myanmar) a member of a gang of armed robbers

Origin of dacoit

1
C19: from Hindi dakait, from dākā robbery

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012