marauder
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of marauder
Explanation
A marauder is someone who roams around looking for things to steal. You might hear news reports about a marauder breaking into cars in your neighborhood. The word marauder entered English in the 17th century, from the Middle French word maraud, meaning "rascal." Even in modern times, if you’re a marauder you’re certainly a rascal — probably even a criminal. A marauder doesn’t target a victim and plan a crime — instead a marauder is on the move looking for opportunities to rob people or steal things. Marauders often travel in groups, looting whatever they can.
Vocabulary lists containing marauder
Grendel
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The Road
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Salt to the Sea
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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.
He was hesitant and fearful of the young marauder.
From BBC • Nov. 15, 2024
Meanwhile, the Big 12 was a year removed from its gutting and eager to play the role of marauder.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 25, 2022
Their center, Jonquel Jones, is an imposing, electric presence, and a marauder on the boards.
From The New Yorker • Oct. 8, 2019
“Love what you’ve done with the town since we’ve been gone,” says one black-bearded marauder as he passes the crowd gathered in the town square.
From Washington Post • Jun. 6, 2019
He slipped away through fields and forests, his precious old instrument under his arm, to seek out refuge in the hall of some lesser marauder.
From "Grendel" by John Gardner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
