BANDIT Definition & Meaning

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bandit

[ ban-dit ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural bandits or (Rare) banditti

a robber, especially a member of a gang or marauding band.
Synonyms: ,
an outlaw or highwayman.
Synonyms: ,
Informal.
1. a person who takes unfair advantage of others, as a merchant who overcharges; swindler; cheat.
2. a vendor, cab driver, etc., who operates a business or works without a required license or permit, and without observing the usual rules or practices.
Military Informal. an enemy aircraft, especially an attacking fighter.

bandit

/ ˈ��æ�Ի�ɪ�� /

noun

a robber, esp a member of an armed gang; brigand

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Derived Forms

ˈ��Ի徱�ٰ��, noun

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of bandit¹

First recorded in 1585–95; earlier bandetto, plural banditti, from Italian banditi “outlaws,” plural of bandito “proscribed,” past participle of bandire “banish, exile, announce publicly,” from Gothic bandwjan “to make a sign, indicate” ( band ¹ ) with verb suffix -ire, from Latin -ī��

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of bandit¹

C16: from Italian bandito , literally: banished man, from bandire to proscribe, from bando edict, ban ¹

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Idioms and Phrases

make out like a bandit, Slang. to be extremely successful; profit greatly:
The early investors in the company have made out like bandits.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A notorious bandit kingpin and 100 of his suspected followers have been killed in a joint military operation in north-west Nigeria, authorities say.

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Victims were often asked to provide a photo of their driver’s license to the tow truck bandits.

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Many California baby boomers — who bought into their neighborhoods long ago — have made out like bandits through escalating home prices.

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Welcome to West Russia, where the oligarchs run the politicians and all are bandits who steal from the poor to give to the rich.

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"But that was not my father. He went back into action, fighting bandits in the Horn of Africa."

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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