rapparee

[ rap-uh-ree ]
See synonyms for rapparee on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an armed Irish freebooter or plunderer, especially of the 17th century.

  2. any freebooter or robber.

Origin of rapparee

1
First recorded in 1680–90, rapparee is from the Irish word rapaire

Words Nearby rapparee

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

How to use rapparee in a sentence

  • The rapparee took the letter, finished his glass of brandy, and disappeared to fulfil his commission.

    Willy Reilly | William Carleton
  • Whilst matters were in this position, the Red rapparee began gradually to lose the confidence of his unscrupulous employer.

    Willy Reilly | William Carleton
  • Rapid was the rush they made to Brady's house, and the very first that entered it was the Red rapparee.

    Willy Reilly | William Carleton
  • In the meantime the sheriff had recognized the rapparee, by a single glance, as the man that had robbed him.

    Willy Reilly | William Carleton
  • We leave them now, in order that we may follow the sheriff and his party, who went to secure the body of the Red rapparee.

    Willy Reilly | William Carleton

British Dictionary definitions for rapparee

rapparee

/ (ˌræpəˈriː) /


noun
  1. an Irish irregular soldier of the late 17th century

  2. obsolete any plunderer or robber

Origin of rapparee

1
C17: from Irish rapairidhe pike, probably from English rapier

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