Brigand

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Brigand \Brig"and\ (br[i^]g"and), n. [F. brigand, OF. brigant
     light-armed soldier, fr. LL. brigans light-armed soldier (cf.
     It. brigante.) fr. brigare to strive, contend, fr. briga
     quarrel; prob. of German origin, and akin to E. break; cf.
     Goth. brikan to break, brakja strife. Cf. {Brigue}.]
     1. A light-armed, irregular foot soldier. [Obs.]


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A lawless fellow who lives by plunder; one of a band of
        robbers; especially, one of a gang living in mountain
        retreats; a highwayman; a freebooter.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Giving them not a little the air of brigands or
              banditti.                             --Jeffery.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  brigand
       n : an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band [syn: {bandit}]