grayback
Americannoun
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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.
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Informal. a Confederate soldier.
Etymology
Origin of grayback
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.
His eyes traveled up the great rock—in whose cave his companions lay sleeping; as they gained the top of that old grayback, they were confronted by two other eyes—mere twinkling points of flame!
From A Scout of To-day by Isabel Hornibrook
As soon as that was discovered, we had them cut off, but it was too late—the little grayback would not eat.
From Army Letters from an Officer's Wife, 1871-1888 by Frances Marie Antoinette Mack Roe
“Well, I suppose I do look rather the worse for the wear,” added the grayback, glancing down at the tattered uniform he wore.
From The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army A Story of the Great Rebellion by Oliver Optic
But they soon let up, and presently sent back a solitary prisoner, about as forlorn, dilapidated looking a specimen of grayback as could be imagined.
From In The Ranks From the Wilderness to Appomattox Court House by R. E. McBride
The bateau approached the point not more than a rod from the waiting arms of the sympathizing grayback.
From The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army A Story of the Great Rebellion by Oliver Optic
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
