highwayman

[ hahy-wey-muhn ]

noun

, plural high·way·men.

1. (formerly) a holdup man, especially one on horseback, who robbed travelers along a public road.

highwayman

/ ˈhaɪˌweɪmən /

noun

1. (formerly) a robber, usually on horseback, who held up travellers

Word History and Origins

Origin of highwayman¹

First recorded in 1640–50; highway + -man

Example Sentences

To borrow a word from the highwayman’s infamous greeting, “Nell” delivers.

From Los Angeles Times

“You don’t even know if there are highwaymen.”

From Literature

He has gone on to establish regular, silly characters - a romantic poet, a highwayman with a hobbyhorse, and a running story that sends up the allure of the archetypal aloof hero.

From BBC

In the 1960s, the highwaymen had plans to drive Interstate 95 straight through D.C.

From Washington Post

Thieves and highwaymen also ply the same roads.

From New York Times