noun
violent robber; villain
Formal or literary term for a brutal outlaw or bandit; often used in historical or dramatic contexts.
その凶賊は村を襲い、金品を奪った。
The violent robber attacked the village and stole money and goods.
時代劇では、凶賊が旅人を待ち伏せる場面がよくある。
In period dramas, there are often scenes where villains ambush travelers.
Compound of 凶 (evil, bad) and 賊 (bandit, thief). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with a violent criminal.