maraud

American  

[muh-rawd] / məˈrɔd /

verb (used without object)

1. to roam or go around in quest of plunder; make a raid for booty.

   Freebooters were marauding all across the territory.

   Synonyms:

   harry, ravage, attack, invade

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verb (used with object)

1. to raid for plunder (often used passively).

   At the war's end the country had been marauded by returning bands of soldiers.

   Synonyms:

   harry, ravage, attack, invade

noun

1. Archaic. the act of marauding.

maraud British  

/ məˈrɔːd /

verb

1. to wander or raid in search of plunder

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noun

1. an archaic word for foray

Other Word Forms

• marauder
  noun

Etymology

Origin of maraud

First recorded in 1705–15; from French marauder, derivative of maraud “rogue, vagabond,” Middle French, perhaps identical with dialectal maraud “tomcat,” of expressive origin

Explanation

As a verb maraud means to rove about the countryside looking for goods to steal and in general, to make mayhem and trouble. The Gilbert and Sullivan opera The Pirates of Penzance is about a band of marauding pirates, the daughters of Major-General Stanley, and a big misunderstanding. The word maraud comes from a Middle French word that means "rascal or rogue." A marauder is someone who marauds and marauding describes people who raid and plunder. As a noun, a maraud is a quick, short foray. As a teenager, you may have participated in a midnight maraud to festoon your friend's house with toilet paper or capture the mascot of your rival sports team.

Example Sentences

There was once upon a time a labourer of Saint-Cast named Marc Bourdais, but, according to the usage of the country, he had a nickname and was called Maraud.

From Legends & Romances of Brittany by Spence, Lewis

Maraud picked it up and found that it was well buttered and as toothsome as a cake, and when they had divided and eaten it they felt their hunger completely satisfied.

From Legends & Romances of Brittany by Spence, Lewis

Maraud filled the glass, and, raising it to his lips, quaffed of the fairy cider.

From Legends & Romances of Brittany by Spence, Lewis

A peasant, nicknamed Maraud; in the story of the Lost Daughter, 75-77 Bouteville.

From Legends & Romances of Brittany by Spence, Lewis

Maraud seized upon one, but when he had cut it he perceived that it was made of hairs, and he threw it down in disgust.

From Legends & Romances of Brittany by Spence, Lewis