grayback

[ grey-bak ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of grayback¹

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

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

He stepped back to one of the two windows on the front of the house, where he discovered an officer and two “grayback” soldiers.

From Project Gutenberg

Tom looked up, and discovered a grayback, standing on the shore, very deliberately pointing his musket at him.

From Project Gutenberg

The bateau approached the point not more than a rod from the waiting arms of the sympathizing grayback.

From Project Gutenberg

“Well, I suppose I do look rather the worse for the wear,” added the grayback, glancing down at the tattered uniform he wore.

From Project Gutenberg