raffles

¹ American  

[raf-uhlz] / ˈræf əlz /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

1. a gentlemanly burglar, amateur housebreaker, or the like.

---

Raffles ² American  

[raf-uhlz] / ˈræf əlz /

noun

1. Sir Thomas Stamford, 1781–1826, English colonial administrator in the East Indies.

---

Raffles British  

/ ˈræfəlz /

noun

1. Sir Thomas Stamford . 1781–1826, British colonial administrator: founded Singapore (1819) as a station for the British East India Company

---

Etymology

Origin of raffles

1925–30; after Raffles, hero of The Amateur Cracksman, by E. W. Hornung (1866–1921), English novelist

Example Sentences

She has now set up a fundraiser and raffles to try and raise enough money for roof and kitchen repairs which she was told would cost around £30,000.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2023

In other attempted gimmicks, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is entering donors into raffles for Major League Soccer games or free tuition payments.

From Slate • Jul. 24, 2023

That’s largely what was available at the Rainier Community Center on Saturday: music, lawn games, raffles, local food and small businesses like Redd-Jones’ selling their merchandise that celebrates Black culture.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 18, 2023

The family-friendly celebration will include a beauty pageant, guest speakers, live performances, games, yoga, raffles and Black business vendors.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2023

Aureliano Segundo was so busy trying to maintain the prestige of his raffles that he barely had time to see the children.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez