Robin Hood

American  

noun

1. a legendary English outlaw of the 12th century, hero of many ballads, who robbed the rich to give to the poor: a popular model of courage, generosity and justice, as well as of skill in archery, he lived and presided over his band of followers chiefly in Sherwood Forest.

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Robin Hood British  

noun

1. a legendary English outlaw of the reign of Richard I, who according to tradition lived in Sherwood Forest and robbed the rich to give to the poor

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Robin Hood ¹ Cultural  

1. A legendary robber of the Middle Ages in England, who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. An excellent archer, he lived in Sherwood Forest with the fair Maid Marian, the stalwart Little John, the priest Friar Tuck, the musician Allan-a-Dale, and others who helped him rob rich landlords and thwart his chief enemy, the sheriff of Nottingham.

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Robin Hood ² Cultural  

1. A character of English legend, the subject of many ballads (see also ballad) and stories since the fourteenth century. (See under “Mythology and Folklore.”)

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Example Sentences

On Sunday, it was about avoiding looking like the outlaw Robin Hood.

From BBC

Time wil tell but, for now, he can reflect with satisfaction on a win that he reckoned aged him 20 years and in which he managed to avoid looking like Robin Hood...

From BBC

Flynn’s not around, but Jack Patten is, playing the legendary outlaw in the new 10-part “Robin Hood” with a grave demeanor and a passel of Merry Men who seem to have PTSD.

From The Wall Street Journal

"My hope is that Peaky Blinders will do to Birmingham what say Robin Hood did to Nottingham, or what Shakespeare did to Stratford-upon-Avon," he added.

From BBC

One of the final negotiation points, a long-promised “Robin Hood” fund meant to share the benefits of streaming success, has finally been set up.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• charitable
• humanitarian
• magnanimous
• philanthropic