grayback

American  

[grey-bak] / ˈgreɪˌbæk /

noun

1. any of various marine and aquatic animals that are dark gray above and light-colored or white below, as the gray whale, the alewife, certain whitefish, and certain sandpipers.

2. Informal. a Confederate soldier.

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Etymology

Origin of grayback

First recorded in 1805–15; gray ¹ + back ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grayback

Si," Shorty continued, as his eye suddenly lighted up with a brilliant thought, "I guess I kin make ye understand what a grayback is.

From Si Klegg, Book 1 (of 6) His Transformation From A Raw Recruit To A Veteran by McElroy, John

We found everything in fine order upon our return, and it was very evident that Cagey had taken good care of the house and Hal, but Billie grayback had taken care of himself.

From Army Letters from an Officer's Wife, 1871-1888 by Roe, Frances Marie Antoinette Mack

We had had a small tent to ourselves, and the socialistic grayback, as yet, had not crawled therein.

From "Shiloh" as Seen by a Private Soldier With Some Personal Reminiscences by Olney, Warren

It would have been heartbreaking to have been obliged to come away without finding that little grayback, and perhaps never know what became of him.

From Army Letters from an Officer's Wife, 1871-1888 by Roe, Frances Marie Antoinette Mack

Here I had the table all set fur breakfast, an' ye put 'er inter a grayback afore I could hold on to anything; and smash goes the hull mess on the floor—plates, forks, vittles.

From Dan Merrithew by McFall, J. V.