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badman

American  
[bad-man] / ˈbædˌmæn /

noun

plural

badmen
  1. a bandit, outlaw, desperado, etc., especially in the early history of the western U.S.


badman British  
/ ˈbædˌmæn /

noun

  1. a hired gunman, outlaw, or criminal

"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

Etymology

Origin of badman

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; bad 1 + man

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Deacon is entertaining as a wannabe "badman" and the soundtrack is solid.

From The Guardian • Mar. 19, 2011

A John Wayne western used to be as rigidly formalized as a Japanese No drama: sheriff v. badman, farmer v. cowman and all that.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week this edition carried a story about one Rocco Maggio, badman.

From Time Magazine Archive

It ends in a crescendo of sentimentality when Thomas Meighan, the lawyer for many a badman of the underworld, reforms and, as crusader, discovers that his sweetheart's father is the biggest gun among the gunmen.

From Time Magazine Archive

His feet were flipping and he yipped as if challenging some wolf badman in his dreams.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George

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