highwayman

American  

[hahy-wey-muhn] / ˈhaɪˌweɪ mən /

noun

plural

highwaymen

1. (formerly) a holdup man, especially one on horseback, who robbed travelers along a public road.

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highwayman British  

/ ˈhaɪˌweɪmən /

noun

1. (formerly) a robber, usually on horseback, who held up travellers

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Etymology

Origin of highwayman

First recorded in 1640–50; highway + -man

Example Sentences

Now he is the star of “The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin,” premiering Friday on Apple TV+, which drops him into the tale of the legendary 18th century highwayman.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2024

He has gone on to establish regular, silly characters - a romantic poet, a highwayman with a hobbyhorse, and a running story that sends up the allure of the archetypal aloof hero.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2022

How many other writers could convincingly depict a blind highwayman or cap that eerie encounter with a duel on bagpipes between Alan and a son of the famous Rob Roy?

From Washington Post • Jan. 20, 2021

On this date in 1879, the stages between Maricopa and Phoenix were held up so frequently that acting Gov. John W. Gasper offered a bounty of $500 for every highwayman caught in the act.

From Washington Times • Aug. 9, 2017

Patricia is gone and I’ll never know what happened to the highwayman and Bess, the landlord’s daughter.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt