highbinder

American  

[hahy-bahyn-der] / ˈhaɪˌbaɪn dər /

noun

1. a swindler; confidence man; cheat.

2. a dishonest political official or leader.

3. a member of a secret Chinese band or society employed in U.S. cities in blackmail, assassination, etc.

4. a ruffian or rowdy.

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highbinder British  

/ ˈhaɪˌbaɪndə /

noun

1. a gangster

2. a corrupt politician

3. (formerly) a member of a Chinese-American secret society that engaged in blackmail, murder, etc

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Etymology

Origin of highbinder

1800–10, apparently high + binder; literal sense is unclear

Example Sentences

And Boss Tolley, Tom Hicks, and them other highbinders can sulk in their dens and suck their paws.

From Project Gutenberg

"But them highbinders want thirty-two dollars and twenty cents, American gold."

From Project Gutenberg

So I wasn’t going to have Beatrice’s husband a cutthroat and a highbinder as he would have to be if he had turned the whole trick.

From Project Gutenberg

Petey was highbinder of the gang that year and was very far gone in crime.

From Project Gutenberg

Her next question was, "Have you ever been a highbinder?"

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accomplice
• collaborator
• plotter
• traitor