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pillard

looter, pillager

noun pee-YAR Rare

Origin: From piller, 'to plunder', from Latin piliare

Usage Note

Pillard refers to a person who loots during a conflict, disaster, or riot. The feminine form is pillarde. The related verb piller and noun pillage share the same root. Historically the word described marauding soldiers; today it appears in news coverage of post-disaster looting.

Examples

"Les pillards ont vidé les magasins après l'émeute."

Natural Translation

The looters emptied the shops after the riot.

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