greyback
Pronunciation
  • (British) IPA: /ˈɡɹeɪbak/
Noun

greyback (plural greybacks)

  1. (historical, US, colloquial) A Confederate soldier during the US Civil War (because of the grey uniforms).
    • 1988, James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, Oxford 2004, p. 739:
      Sheridan managed to keep the graybacks at bay while he tore up the railroad, but he abandoned the plan to link up with Hunter, and the southerners soon repaired the railroad.
  2. (dated) A louse.
    • 1886, Central Reporter: Cases, Courts of Last Resort
      It is alleged by the defendant that there were scabs and greybacks in it, and that it did not come up to the quality of No. 1 slate as contracted for.
  3. A local name for various grey birds.



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