cateran

[ kat-er-uh n ]

/ ˈkæt ər ən /

noun

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

Nearby words

catenoid, catenulate, cater, cater-cornered, cater-cousin, cateran, caterer, caterina, catering, caterpillar, caterpillar flap

Origin of cateran

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cateran

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
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
Then pressing my proffered hand in his, he turned away; and in a few minutes the Highland cateran was out of sight.
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland|Various
"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

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