outlaw

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
  2. verb declare illegal; outlaw
  3. adjective contrary to or forbidden by law

Etymology

From Middle English outlawe, outlagh, utlaȝe, from Old English ūtlaga (“outlaw”), borrowed from Old Norse útlagi (“outlaw, fugitive”), equivalent to out- + law. Cognate with Icelandic útlagi (“outlaw”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

criminal, felon, crook, malefactor

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