haversack
Americannoun
-
a single-strapped bag worn over one shoulder and used for carrying supplies.
-
a soldier's bag for rations, extra clothing, etc.
noun
Etymology
Origin of haversack
1740–50; earlier havresack < French havresac < German Habersack, equivalent to Haber oats (compare dialectal English haver < Old Norse hafrar oats) + Sack sack 1
Vocabulary lists containing haversack
The American Civil War
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Novel Study: Harriet Tubman, Chapters 11–22
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
He has one green parakeet feather in his haversack.
From New York Times • Apr. 1, 2012
And now it has its metaphorical haversack over its brave, small metaphorical shoulders and is trotting off to do some Youth Hostelling in Indonesia without me.
From The Guardian • Jul. 18, 2011
He'd arrive on his bike, his haversack full of groceries, and he'd spend the afternoon with us.
From The Guardian • Jun. 26, 2010
Expert No. 2, Philosopher Cyril Edwin Mitchinson Joad, clumped in on loud-nailed boots, carrying a vast haversack.
From Time Magazine Archive
The young mouse repacked the water canteen into his haversack.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
