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Roberdsman

noun
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Rob·​erds·​man | \ ˈräbə(r)dzmən \
plural Roberdsmen

Definition of Roberdsman

: one of a class of vagabond thieves and robbers in 14th century England

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History and Etymology for Roberdsman

Middle English roberdesman, robertesman, probably from Robertes (genitive of the name Robert, probably considered an appropriate fictitious name for a robber because of the similarity in sound to Middle English robbere robber) + Middle English man

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Cite this Entry

“Roberdsman.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Roberdsman. Accessed 27 January 2020.

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