cateran

[ kat-er-uhn ]

/ ˈkæt ər ən /

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noun

(formerly) a freebooter or marauder of the Scottish Highlands.

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Origin of cateran

1325–75; <Medieval Latin caterānus, Latinized form of Middle English (Scots ) catherein<Scots Gaelic ceatharn;see kern¹

Words nearby cateran

catenate, catenation, catenoid, catenulate, cater, cateran, cater-cornered, cater-cousin, caterer, Caterina, catering

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cateran in a sentence

The kern or cateran of the Highlands was a light-armed infantryman, as opposed to the heavy-armed "gallowglass."
Lady of the Lake|Sir Walter Scott
"Clear the way, cateran," said the armourer, in the deep stern voice which corresponded with the breadth of his chest.
The Fair Maid of Perth|Sir Walter Scott
We hae hangit a Highland cateran without trial afore this, and we may be tempted to tak the law into our ain hands again.
The Lancashire Witches|William Harrison Ainsworth
They will have no black-mail to pay, either to Master Nevis or to any other cateran who is in the habit of levying it on the road.
John Deane of Nottingham|W.H.G. Kingston

This missing youth turns out to be identical with the cateran of Drumshorlan.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 369, July 1846|Various

British Dictionary definitions for cateran

cateran

/ (ˈkætərən) /

noun

(formerly) a member of a band of brigands and marauders in the Scottish highlands

Word Origin for cateran

C14: probably from Scottish Gaelic ceathairneach robber, plunderer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012