HIGHWAYPERSON Meaning and
Definition
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A "highwayperson" refers to an individual who engages in illegal activities, particularly the act of robbing or plundering unsuspecting travellers, on roads or highways. The term is a combination of "highway" and "person," indicating that these individuals typically target victims who pass along public thoroughfares.
Historically, highwaypersons were prevalent during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly in countries like England. They would often disguise themselves, wearing masks or cloaks, to conceal their identities while ambushing travellers. The crimes committed by highwaypersons typically involved theft, with victims being forcibly relieved of their belongings, including money, valuable items, and sometimes even their mode of transportation.
Highwaypersons would often operate in groups, increasing the likelihood of success in their illegal pursuits.
In contemporary usage, the term "highwayperson" is not as commonly employed as it once was, with the concept of organized highway robbery being largely outdated. However, the term may still be used metaphorically to describe someone who exhibits aggressive or predatory behavior in a specific context, such as a person who takes advantage of vulnerable individuals in a professional or social setting. Overall, the term "highwayperson" encompasses the historical notion of a criminal who commits thefts and other illegal acts on highways while also serving as a descriptor for someone engaging in predatory behavior.
Common Misspellings for HIGHWAYPERSON
- gighwayperson
- bighwayperson
- nighwayperson
- jighwayperson
- uighwayperson
- yighwayperson
- hughwayperson
- hjghwayperson
- hkghwayperson
- hoghwayperson
- h9ghwayperson
- h8ghwayperson
- hifhwayperson
- hivhwayperson
- hibhwayperson
- hihhwayperson
- hiyhwayperson
- hithwayperson
- higgwayperson
- higbwayperson
Etymology of HIGHWAYPERSON
The word "highwayperson" is a derivative of the term "highwayman", which refers to a robber or criminal who operates on roads or highways, typically stopping travelers to rob them. The term "highwayman" emerged in the 17th century in England, combining the words "highway", referring to a main road, and "man", indicating a person. It was used to describe outlaws who targeted wealthy or vulnerable individuals on the open roads. In modern usage, the term "highwayperson" emerged as a gender-neutral alternative, replacing the gender-specific "highwayman" or "highwaywoman" to encompass individuals of any gender.
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