Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

doughface

American  
[doh-fays] / ˈdoʊˌfeɪs /

noun

U.S. History.
  1. a Northerner who sympathized with the South during the controversies over new territories and slavery before the Civil War.

  2. a congressman from a northern state not opposed to slavery in the South.


Etymology

Origin of doughface

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; dough + face


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The choice went instead to James Buchanan, a colorless Pennsylvania doughface with a long record of party service dating back to Andrew Jackson’s day.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 18, 2018

At the same time, emphasizing Pierce’s status as a doughface threatened to push anti-slavery Democrats into the splinter Free Soil Party, fracturing the party in the North.

From Slate ● Sep. 14, 2012

At last the nation has found out its strength, and determined, despite doughface objections and impediments to every proposal of every kind, to push the war with energy, so that the foe shall be overwhelmed.

From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No 3, September, 1862 Devoted to Literature and National Policy. by Various

"Then——-" "Farl", broke in Dave hurriedly, almost fiercely, "has anyone a doughface?"

From Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis by H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock

In the morning Dave sought out Midshipman Farley to inquire to whom the doughface should be returned.

From Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis by H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Just like flashcards, but way more fun

Don't take our word for it. Leave the boring studying behind and join VocabTrainer today. You'll learn even faster and never look back.

Take me to Vocabulary.com