klepht

[ kleft ]

noun

1. a Greek or Albanian brigand, exalted in the war of Greek independence as a patriotic robber; guerrilla.

klepht

/ klɛft /

noun

1. any of the Greeks who fled to the mountains after the 15th-century Turkish conquest of Greece and whose descendants survived as brigands into the 19th century

Derived Forms

• ˈklephtic, adjective

Other Words From

• klephtic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of klepht¹

1810–20; < Modern Greek kléphtēs, variant of Modern Greek, Greek kléptēs thief, rogue; kleptomania

Word History and Origins

Origin of klepht¹

C19: from Modern Greek klephtēs, from Greek kleptēs thief

Example Sentences

They say Rhangos is going to join the Turks, as many other klepht leaders have done.

From Project Gutenberg

Meantime, the services of the notorious Klepht Achilles have been engaged.

From Project Gutenberg

He has taken the leadership of the coryphes, and now executes a dance which is called the "Klepht."

From Project Gutenberg

Whoever was not a klepht was the victim of some official extortioner.

From Project Gutenberg