forty-niner
[fawr-tee-nahy-ner]
- a person, especially a prospector, who went to California in 1849 during the gold rush.
Show More
Origin of forty-niner
An Americanism dating back to 1850–55
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for forty-niner
Historical Examples
At the very bottom, when all was said and done, Magnus remained the Forty-niner.
The OctopusFrank Norris
His rest was the Forty-niner's arm, as mine is the sportsman's hand.
Frontier BalladsJoseph Mills Hanson
Dr. Robinson was a prominent "forty-niner," and the leader of the California squatters in the war against the Sutter land claims.
The Middle Period 1817-1858John William Burgess
The government agent was an old friend of mine, a California forty-niner, and a most companionable fellow.
The History of Minnesota and Tales of the FrontierCharles E. Flandrau
Then, since ‘Forty-niner’ got home only he has slept here, and he generally ‘bunks’ on the lounge in this very office.
Jessica, the HeiressEvelyn Raymond
forty-niner
- (sometimes capital) US history a prospector who took part in the California gold rush of 1849
- 49er a type of dinghy, designed to be crewed by two people
Show More
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