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Webster 1913 Edition
Brigand
Brig′and
(brĭg′and)
, Noun.
[F.
brigand
, OF. brigant
light-armed soldier, fr. LL. brigans
light-armed soldier (cf. It. brigante
.) fr. brigare
to strive, contend, fr. briga
quarrel; prob. of German origin, and akin to E. break
; cf. Goth. brikan
to break, brakja
strife. Cf. Brigue
.] 1.
A light-armed, irregular foot soldier.
[Obs.]
2.
A lawless fellow who lives by plunder; one of a band of robbers; especially, one of a gang living in mountain retreats; a highwayman; a freebooter.
Giving them not a little the air of
brigands
or banditti. Jeffery.
Webster 1828 Edition
Brigand
BRIG'AND
,Noun.