Definition

1. Verb:

   • To raid and roam in search of plunder or booty; to move about while making sudden attacks to steal and cause destruction.

2. Noun:

   • A sudden, short, and often violent attack for the purpose of plunder; a raid.

Usage

• Verb: The primary use describes the act of moving through an area while attacking and stealing.
  • Historically, bandits would maraud along the trade routes, preying on merchants.
  • The warning was issued that wild animals might maraud near the village at night.
• Noun: This use refers to the attack or raid itself.
  • The coastal town suffered a maraud by pirates at dawn.
  • The general planned a quick maraud to disrupt enemy supply lines.

Advanced Usage

• "To go on a maraud": to embark on a raiding expedition.
  • The desperate soldiers went on a maraud to find food and supplies.
• Used as a modifier: The present participle "marauding" is commonly used as an adjective.
  • The townsfolk hid from the marauding band of outlaws.
  • Marauding gangs looted the abandoned city.

Variants and Related Words

• Marauder (noun): A person or animal that marauds; a raider.
  • The castle walls were built to keep out marauders.
• Marauding (adjective or present participle): Engaged in marauding.
  • The marauding army left a trail of destruction.

Synonyms

• Verb: Raid, plunder, pillage, forage, ravage.
• Noun: Raid, foray, incursion, sortie.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(This word does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed through the simple verb or noun forms.)

Related Idioms

• "To be at maraud": An archaic or literary phrase meaning to be engaged in raiding.
  • The tribes were constantly at maraud against their neighbors.

Noun

1. a sudden short attack

Verb

1. raid and rove in search of booty
   • marauding rebels overran the countryside