Molly Maguire

American  

[muh-gwahyuhr] / məˈgwaɪər /

noun

1. Irish History. a member of a secret terrorist society organized in Ireland in 1843 to prevent evictions by the government: so called because the members disguised themselves as women.

2. U.S. History. a member of a former secret association, organized about 1865, that terrorized the mine operators' agents in an effort to get relief from oppressive conditions in the anthracite coal-mining regions of Pennsylvania: ceased to function about 1877.

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Molly Maguire British  

/ ˈmɒlɪ məˈɡwaɪə /

noun

1. Irish history a member of a secret society that terrorized law officers during the 1840s to prevent evictions

2. (in Pennsylvania from about 1865 to 1877) a member of a society of miners that terrorized mine owners and their agents in an effort to obtain better pay

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Etymology

Origin of Molly Maguire

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

One condemned Molly Maguire proclaimed innocence while mashing a dirty handprint into the wall of his cell, where he said it would remain as long as the Mauch Chunk jail kept standing.

From Washington Times • Jun. 30, 2018

In the afternoon Molly Maguire put on the striped fur coat and went out, going slowly past the house so that I would be sure to see her.

From The Case of Jennie Brice by Bracker, M. Leone

I was asleep forward, just dreaming of Ballinahone, an’ thinking I was leading off a dance with Molly Maguire, when down came the whole castle tumbling about our heads.

From Paddy Finn by Webb, Archibald

When I went down-stairs, Molly Maguire was waiting in the kitchen, and had the audacity to ask me if I thought the coat needed a new lining!

From The Case of Jennie Brice by Bracker, M. Leone

I took it; I am not proud, and I should like Molly Maguire to see it.

From The Case of Jennie Brice by Bracker, M. Leone