Contents

English

Wikipedia has an article on: Thug

Etymology

From Hindi (thuggee) (or ठग्गी (tuggee)) < Marathi (thag), “‘thief’”), (thak), “‘swindler’”) < Sanskrit स्थग (sthaga), “‘cunning, fraudulent’”) < स्थगति (sthagati), “‘to cover, conceal’”) Thuggee was an Indian network of secret fraternities who were engaged in murdering and robbing travellers and known for strangling their victims, operating from the 17th century (possibly as early as 13th century) to the 19th century. During British Imperial rule of India, many Indian words passed into common English, and in 1810 thug referred to members of these Indian gangs. The sense was adopted more generally as "ruffian, cutthroat" by 1839.

Pronunciation

Noun

Singular thug

Plural thugs

thug (plural thugs)

  1. A criminal who treats others violently and roughly, especially for hire.
  2. (dated) One of a band of assassins formerly active in northern India who worshipped Kali and offered their victims to her.

Synonyms

Irish

Pronunciation

Verb

thug

  1. Past of tabhair.

Scottish Gaelic

Pronunciation

Verb

thug

  1. Past of thoir.

Usage notes

 

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