banditti
Definition
- Noun (plural of ):
- Outlaws or robbers: "banditti" refers to a group of bandits, especially those operating in a lawless or mountainous region, often as part of an organized gang.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The banditti terrorized the countryside, stealing from travelers and burning villages. (A group of outlaws causing fear and destruction.)
- In the old tales, banditti were often portrayed as romantic figures, but in reality they were brutal criminals. (A plural form used in historical or literary contexts.)
Advanced Usage
"banditti of the mountains": a specific phrase used to describe robbers living in remote, rugged areas.
- The banditti of the Apennines were notorious for their ambushes. (Outlaws dwelling in the Italian mountains.)
"a banditti": sometimes used as a collective singular, though grammatically plural.
- The entire banditti was captured by the authorities. (The whole group of bandits was caught.)
Variants and Related Words
Bandit (n, singular): a single robber or outlaw.
- The lone bandit held up the stagecoach. (A single criminal.)
Banditry (n): the practice or activity of bandits; robbery by organized groups.
- Banditry was common in the region during the 18th century. (The act of being a bandit.)
Synonyms
- Outlaws: people who have broken the law and are hiding.
- Highwaymen: robbers who prey on travelers, especially on roads.
- Brigands: bandits operating in rural or mountain areas, often with a military-like organization.
Related Idioms
- "Like a banditti": used to describe a disorderly or lawless group.
- The children ran through the house like a banditti, knocking over furniture. (Chaotic and unruly behavior.)
Etymology Note
"Banditti" is the Italian plural form of bandito (meaning "outlaw"), adopted into English in the 17th century. It is less common in modern English, where bandits is now the standard plural.