brigand

[ brig-uhnd ]

/ ˈbrɪg ənd /

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noun

a bandit, especially one of a band of robbers in mountain or forest regions.

OTHER WORDS FOR brigand

outlaw, highwayman, desperado, cutthroat.

See synonyms for brigand on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of brigand

1350–1400; variant of Middle English briga(u)nt<Middle French brigand<Old Italian brigante companion, member of an armed company, equivalent to brig(are) to treat, deal (with), make war (derivative of briga trouble, strife; of uncertain origin) + -ante-ant

OTHER WORDS FROM brigand

brig·and·age, nounbrig·and·ish, adjectivebrig·and·ish·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use brigand in a sentence

The Rome government dismissed these peasant rebels as mere "brigands."
David's Book Club: Who Ruined Southern Italy?|David Frum|July 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Oh how often have knowledge and keen wits and understandings/ Been as deadly as brigands or ghouls to the wayfarer.
Imperial Locavores|Ian Klaus|August 29, 2011|DAILY BEAST
But when the women thought of the bands of brigands who hide in the mountain passes, they began to fear.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
He had dealings with the brigands and was arrested in the suit of the Chauffeurs of Mortagne, in 1809, but acquitted.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe

Signalized as the hardiest of the indirect allies of the brigands in the affair of the "Chauffeurs of Mortagne."
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
Indeed he offered no resistance when the "Brigands" stole the government chests.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
Underneath wisps of tawny hair, rather Mephistophelian, were clear-blue eyes, brilliant and sharp as a brigands.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for brigand

brigand

/ (ˈbrɪɡənd) /

noun

a bandit or plunderer, esp a member of a gang operating in mountainous areas

Derived forms of brigand

brigandage or brigandry, noun

Word Origin for brigand

C14: from Old French, from Old Italian brigante fighter, from brigare to fight, from briga strife, of Celtic origin

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

brigand

OTHER WORDS FOR brigand

Origin of brigand

OTHER WORDS FROM brigand

Words related to brigand

How to use brigand in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for brigand

Derived forms of brigand

Word Origin for brigand