Thug
THUG
A member of a historical criminal group in India.
Meaning & usage
The term 'thug' refers to a member of a criminal organization in India during the 19th century, known for robbery and murder. The Thuggee cult was notorious for strangling their victims as part of their rituals. The word has since evolved in English to describe a rough or violent person.
In a sentence
The tales of the Thugs in colonial India have become a part of the country's dark history.
As seen in crosswords
Thug is a 4-letter answer. A typical clue:
“A member of a historical criminal group in India” (4)
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