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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

Not so many, probably, are familiar with the doughface, which, at the time this is written, was a new importation.

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

Over in the opposite alcove the discipline officer made out, more vaguely, the lay figure and the doughface intended to represent Midshipman Dan Dalzell.

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

Each honnable doughface gits jest wut he axes, An' the people—their annooal soft sodder an' taxes.

From The Biglow Papers by Thomas Hughes

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