cateran

American  

[kat-er-uhn] / ˈkæt ər ən /

noun

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

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cateran British  

/ ˈkætərən /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of cateran

1325–75; < Medieval Latin caterānus, Latinized form of Middle English ( Scots ) catherein < Scots Gaelic ceatharn; see kern ¹

Example Sentences

The kern or cateran of the Highlands was a light-armed infantryman, as opposed to the heavy-armed "gallowglass."

From Lady of the Lake by Moody, William Vaughn

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.

From John Deane of Nottingham Historic Adventures by Land and Sea by Kingston, William Henry Giles

“Is that for the cateran back again?” asked the other.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 11 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis

"Then pressing my proffered hand in his, he turned away; and in a few minutes the Highland cateran was out of sight."

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 7 by Various

“Did you ever hear of the famous northern cateran, Ben Nevis?” asked Burdale.

From John Deane of Nottingham Historic Adventures by Land and Sea by Kingston, William Henry Giles