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badman

American  
[bad-man] / ˈbædˌmæn /

noun

plural

badmen
  1. a bandit, outlaw, desperado, etc., especially in the early history of the western U.S.


badman British  
/ ˈbædˌmæn /

noun

  1. a hired gunman, outlaw, or criminal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of badman

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; bad 1 + man

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Deacon is entertaining as a wannabe "badman" and the soundtrack is solid.

From The Guardian • Mar. 19, 2011

In making the trek, Mitchum wrestles in turn with a mountain lion, a knife-wielding badman, several Indians, and Marilyn.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thus another U.S. badman was sentimentally memorialized last week in a ballad freshly recorded for the jukebox trade.

From Time Magazine Archive

John Dillinger, most famed modern badman, beat a rap twelve years after he was shot dead.

From Time Magazine Archive

His feet were flipping and he yipped as if challenging some wolf badman in his dreams.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George