Outlaws Meaning: Definition and Examples
🚨
outlaws
[ˈaʊtˌlɔːz ]
Definition
criminal activity
Outlaws are individuals who have broken the law and are considered to be outside the protection of the law. Historically, outlaws were often those who committed serious crimes, such as theft or murder, and were pursued actively by law enforcement agents. The term is often associated with a romanticized idea of rebellion against authority and societal norms.
Synonyms
criminals, fugitives, lawbreakers, rebels.
Examples of usage
- The outlaws fled into the mountains after the heist.
- Many stories in the Wild West featured outlaws as central characters.
- The group of outlaws planned a daring escape from prison.
- Outlaws have often been depicted in literature and film as anti-heroes.
Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- The term 'outlaw' originates from the Old Norse word 'útlagr', meaning 'one put out of the law'.
- In medieval England, being labeled an outlaw meant you could be hunted without consequence, much like a wanted criminal today.
Pop Culture
- Movies like 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' and 'Bonnie and Clyde' romanticize the lives of outlaws, portraying them as rebellious heroes.
- A famous outlaw from American history is Jesse James, who became a legendary figure through books and films that explore his life and adventures.
Literature
- The 'Robin Hood' stories depict an outlaw who steals from the rich to give to the poor, showcasing a complex view of lawbreakers as heroes.
- Outlaws frequently appear in Western novels and comics, often portrayed as anti-heroes fighting against authority.
Psychology
- Research shows that some individuals may be drawn to outlaw behavior due to a desire for freedom or rebellion against societal norms.
- The 'bad boy' archetype often associated with outlaws can have a seductive appeal, as it represents breaking free from constraints.
Modern Implications
- In contemporary context, the term has expanded to include online outlaws – hackers and cybercriminals who operate outside the law.
- Street gangs are sometimes labeled as modern outlaws, as they often defy legal systems and create their own codes of conduct.
Origin of 'outlaws'
The word 'outlaw' originates from the Old English word 'utlaw', which came from the combination of 'ut' meaning 'out' and 'lawe', meaning 'law'. Initially, an outlaw was someone who was 'put outside the law' - meaning that they were stripped of legal protection and could be harmed or captured without consequence. In medieval England, this punishment was often seen as a form of social exile. Over the centuries, the term evolved to describe those who flouted the law, particularly in contexts such as the American Wild West, where figures like Jesse James and Billy the Kid became iconic outlaws. The romanticism of outlaws has persisted in popular culture, leading to their portrayal as heroes in various stories and films, despite their criminal activities.