ladrone
big thief; brigand
noun lah-DROH-neh Rare
Origin: Latin latro (bandit, mercenary) + augmentative -one
Usage Note
Ladrone is the augmentative of ladro (thief), denoting a serious or habitual criminal rather than a petty pickpocket. In the Gospels i ladroni are the two thieves crucified alongside Jesus — learners of religious Italian will encounter this. Today it is used hyperbolically in political discourse: ladrone hurled at a corrupt politician. Plural: ladroni.
Examples
"Quel politico è un ladrone!"
Natural Translation
That politician is a crook!
Related Words
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