bandit
[ ban-dit ]
/ ˈbæn dɪt /
noun, plural ban·dits or (Rare) ban·dit·ti [ban-dit-ee] /bænˈdɪt i/.
a robber, especially a member of a gang or marauding band.
an outlaw or highwayman.
Informal.
- a person who takes unfair advantage of others, as a merchant who overcharges; swindler; cheat.
- 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.
Military Informal. an enemy aircraft, especially an attacking fighter.
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Nearby words
bandh, bandicoot, bandido, bandinelli, banding, bandit, bandito, banditry, banditti, bandjarmasin, bandjermasin
Idioms
make out like a bandit, Slang. to be extremely successful; profit greatly: The early investors in the company have made out like bandits.
Origin of bandit
1585–95; earlier bandetto, plural banditti < Italian banditi outlaws, plural of bandito proscribed, past participle of bandire banish, exile, announce publicly < Gothic bandwjan to make a sign, indicate (cf. band1) with v. suffix -ire < Latin -īre
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for bandit
British Dictionary definitions for bandit
bandit
/ (ˈbændɪt) /
noun plural -dits or -ditti (-ˈdɪtɪ)
a robber, esp a member of an armed gang; brigand
Derived Forms
banditry, nounWord Origin for bandit
C16: from Italian bandito, literally: banished man, from bandire to proscribe, from bando edict, ban 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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