Definition

Proper noun * Billy the Kid: The nickname of William H. Bonney, a famous American outlaw and folk hero of the American Old West, reputed to have killed 21 men before being shot and killed at the age of 21.

Usage

• Billy the Kid is used as a singular proper noun to refer to the historical figure. It is often preceded by the definite article "the" as part of the name.
  • Many legends and films have been made about Billy the Kid.
  • Pat Garrett was the sheriff who shot Billy the Kid.

Advanced Usage

• The name can be used metaphorically to describe a rebellious or law-defying young person, often with a sense of romanticized notoriety.
  • The young hacker was dubbed the Billy the Kid of the cyber world.

Variants and Related Words

• William H. Bonney (Proper noun): The real name often associated with Billy the Kid.
• The Kid (Proper noun): A common shortened reference.
• Outlaw (Noun): A person who has broken the law, especially one who remains a fugitive.
• Gunslinger (Noun): A person, typically in the American Old West, who is skilled in the use of a gun and hired to fight.

Synonyms

• Desperado: A desperate or reckless outlaw.
• Gunfighter: A person who fights with guns.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To meet one's Billy the Kid: A rare, non-standard phrase that could be constructed to mean meeting one's ultimate reckoning or downfall, analogous to the figure who finally ended the outlaw's life.
  • Every corrupt ruler will eventually meet their Billy the Kid.

Noun

1. United States outlaw who was said to have killed 21 men (1859-1881)