A robber who travels in a group, often attacking people in remote or wild places.
From Old French “brigand,” meaning “foot soldier or skirmisher,” from Italian “brigante,” from “brigare,” meaning “to fight or brawl.” The sense shifted from fighter to bandit.
“Brigand” shows how easily a word for a fighter can slide into a word for a criminal, depending on whose side you’re on. History often turns yesterday’s soldiers into today’s bandits in the way it labels them.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.