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a robber, especially a member of a gang or marauding band.
an outlaw or highwayman.
Informal.

a person who takes unfair advantage of others, as a merchant who overcharges; swindler; cheat.
a vendor, cab driver, etc., who operates a business or works without a required license or permit, and without observing the usual rules or practices.

Military Informal. an enemy aircraft, especially an attacking fighter.
make out like a bandit, Slang. to be extremely successful; profit greatly:
The early investors in the company have made out like bandits.
Historical Examples

Several wild-looking men, who if they were not banditti might easily be mistaken for such, were seated on logs about the fire.
The Bible in Spain George Borrow

“The road is infested with banditti,” growled out the padre.
The Daltons, Volume II (of II) Charles James Lever

That these banditti were in a starving condition was well-known.
The Cape and the Kaffirs Harriet Ward

As our host said to us this morning: ‘The gendarmes, they go, but the banditti, they stay.’
The Nabob, Volume 1 (of 2) Alphonse Daudet

Now, then, we shall hear whether he has discovered the banditti.
The Bravo of Venice Heinrich Zschokke

For the accomplishment of this part of their plan they relied on the daggers of the banditti.
The Bravo of Venice Heinrich Zschokke

From two to three hundred banditti attacked the populace, who quickly recovered themselves and easily defeated the assailants.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 11 Various

By this action the banditti were deprived of their two most valorous chiefs.
The Life and Adventures of Baron Trenck Baron Trenck

Nor me any thing but the rough cottagers and banditti men; but, never mind, my bass solo will do the trick.
The English Spy Bernard Blackmantle

What are you doing with this gang of cutthroats and banditti?
Ride Proud, Rebel! Andre Alice Norton

noun (pl) -dits, -ditti (-ˈdɪtɪ)
a robber, esp a member of an armed gang; brigand
n.

1590s, from Italian bandito (plural banditi) “outlaw,” past participle of bandire “proscribe, banish,” from Vulgar Latin *bannire “to proclaim, proscribe,” from Proto-Germanic *bann (see ban (v.)). *Bannire (or its Frankish cognate *bannjan) in Old French became banir-, which, with lengthened stem, became English banish.

noun

An enemy aircraft (WWII)
An aggressive homosexual who often resorts to violence (1970s+ Prison)

Related Terms

like a bandit, make out like a bandit, one-arm bandit