Obs. [ad. L. latrōn-em, latro, hireling, mercenary, freebooter, robber. Cf. LADRONE.] A robber, brigand, plunderer.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage, II. vii. (1614), 133. I meane those Latron-patrons and Patron-latrons, whereof these extend to the vtmost whatsoeuer might, and whatsoeuer colour of right, in Exemptions, Customes. Priuiledges and prauileges whereby euery ‘John-a Stile’ shall intercept the Churches due.
1634. Canne, Necess. Separ. (1849), 272. In their writings against the prelates … they call them all latrons.
1657. Thornley, trans. Longus’ Daphnis & Chloe, 108. Counting such actions to suit better with a Latron than the Grand Captain of an Army.
1658. J. Jones, Ovid’s Ibis, 116. What may sacrilegious latrons expect?
1879. G. Meredith, Egoist, III. iii. 74. The hymeneal pair are licensed freebooters levying black mail on us;… I apprehend that Mr. Whitford has a lower order of latrons in his mind.
