Word
bandit
Phoneticsban·dit
US/ˈbændət/
UK/bˈændɪt/
Definitions
01a robber
n. a person who robs others, usually as part of a group in a place where there is no law.
n. an armed robber or outlaw, typically one operating as part of a gang in a remote or lawless region.
“The travelers were stopped by a group of bandits on the mountain road.”
“Historically, these remote mountain passes were controlled by local bandits who demanded payment from any merchant attempting to cross the border.”
Usage
Often used in historical or adventure contexts rather than for modern urban crime.
02enemy aircraft
n. a word used by pilots to mean an enemy airplane.
n. a code word used in military aviation to identify an aircraft that has been positively identified as an enemy.
“The pilot spotted two bandits on his radar and called for backup.”
“The flight lead confirmed two bandits at twelve o'clock, though they had not yet entered the engagement zone.”
Technical
Teaching tip
In military jargon, a 'bandit' is known to be an enemy, whereas a 'bogey' is an unidentified aircraft.
Antonyms
03unregistered runner
n. someone who runs in a race like a marathon without paying or registering.
n. an individual who participates in a sanctioned race, such as a marathon, without having officially registered or paid the entry fee.
“The race organizers tried to stop the bandits from crossing the finish line.”
“While some view race bandits as harmless, organizers argue they consume resources like water and medical support without contributing to the event's costs.”
Slang · Informal
Teaching tip
This is a very specific use in the running community; most general English speakers will not know this meaning.
Real-World Examples
“Children are sent out to gather firewood to sell so families can buy food, but 22 have been kidnapped by bandits, she says.” Etymology
Borrowed from Italian bandito (“outlawed”), a derivative of Italian bandire (“to ban”), from Late Latin bandīre, an alteration (due to Gothic 𐌱𐌰𐌽𐌳𐍅𐌾𐌰𐌽 (bandwjan, “to signal”)) of Late Latin bannīre (“to ban”), from Frankish *bannan (“to ban”). Doublet of bandito.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
make out like a bandit — To profit greatly; to get an excessively good deal
time bandit — Something or someone that consumes an inordinate amount of time, especially without achieving anything productive.