Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

cangaceiro

noun

/käŋ-gə-‘sā-rō/

Definition

A cangaceiro was a member of a band of outlaws in Brazil, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for their distinctive dress and lifestyle.

Examples

The cangaceiro wore a wide-brimmed hat and carried a rifle.
Stories of the cangaceiros’ exploits are popular in Brazilian folklore.
Following the cangaceiro lifestyle often meant living outside the law.

Meaning

The term particularly refers to bandits or highwaymen associated with the cangaço, a form of social banditry that emerged in the arid hinterlands of northeastern Brazil.