blighter

American  

[blahy-ter] / ˈblaɪ tər /

noun

British Slang.

1. a contemptible, worthless person, especially a man; scoundrel or rascal.

2. a chap; bloke.

---

blighter British  

/ ˈblaɪtə /

noun

1. a fellow

   where's the blighter gone?

2. a despicable or irritating person or thing

---

Etymology

Origin of blighter

First recorded in 1815–25; blight + -er ¹

Example Sentences

That potential is inspiring more than a dozen companies around the world—including Blighter Surveillance Systems in England, and Dedrone and DeTect in the U.S.—to develop antidrone technology.

From Scientific American • Apr. 3, 2023

Despite the shortcomings of radar, Blighter Surveillance Systems, based near Cambridge, Britain, is having a go.

From Economist • Apr. 30, 2015

"Blighter owes me fourpence, anyway," roars Elf; and I infer that neither of them has a high opinion of 'Arry's character from the civilian point of view.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, February 16, 1916 by Seaman, Owen, Sir

As Winnie aptly remarked, "In these days there are only two kinds of beings in the Convoy—a "Bird" and a "Blighter"!"

From Fanny Goes to War by Washington, Pat Beauchamp

Silly Blighter; yes, you thought he was an absolute outsider, didn't you, so did everyone else; but he's not.

From What Not A Prophetic Comedy by Macaulay, Rose, Dame