bandit

[ ban-dit ]

noun

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

1. a robber, especially a member of a gang or marauding band.

   Synonyms: desperado, brigand

2. an outlaw or highwayman.

   Synonyms: desperado, brigand

3. 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.
4. Military Informal. an enemy aircraft, especially an attacking fighter.

bandit

/ ˈbændɪt /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˈbanditry, noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bandit¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make out like a bandit, Slang. to be extremely successful; profit greatly:

   The early investors in the company have made out like bandits.

Example Sentences

She stormed off next door, where the business owner tried to chase Wislon off before the bandit squeezed off a round.

From The Daily Beast

One bandit came in the night to rob the couple, and shot at his wife when she exited the house.

From The Daily Beast

I had my first taste of Tetra Pak wine from a neon green package labeled “Bandit” a couple of years ago.

From The Daily Beast

After all, who has made out like a bandit since the 2008 economic collapse?

From The Daily Beast

A bandit tried to rob them, and they shot and killed him and went back to work Monday morning as if nothing had happened.

From The Daily Beast

He lived for some time as a bandit, robbing the subjects of the King of Gath, who had given him shelter.

From Project Gutenberg

Five years of warfare and its sequence—the bandit community—had devastated the provinces.

From Project Gutenberg

They had no doubts that if the bandit was still in the cave, the three men would find him and bring him back to face justice.

From Project Gutenberg

She had come to the part in their escape when she stopped and fired at the bandit when Janet voiced her opinion.

From Project Gutenberg

Clovis made himself master of the city through the treason of Saint Remy, who baptized that crowned bandit at Rheims.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• criminal
• gangster
• hooligan
• marauder
• mobster
• outlaw
• pirate
• raider
• robber