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Jayhawker

American  
[jay-haw-ker] / ˈdʒeɪˌhɔ kər /

noun

  1. a native or inhabitant of Kansas (used as a nickname).

  2. (sometimes lowercase) a plundering marauder, especially one of the antislavery guerrillas in Kansas, Missouri, and other border states before and during the Civil War.


Etymology

Origin of Jayhawker

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; of uncertain origin


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.

See Examples For:

“Grass there is scarce, wood there is none,” wrote Jayhawker Sheldon Young of the landscape.

From National Geographic ● Jul. 25, 2023

Prior to finding himself advancing toward Germany near the end of World War II, Mr. Dole had been a lifelong Jayhawker, recruited to Kansas University by the legendary basketball coach Phog Allen.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 5, 2021

"It all depends on the Jayhawker," says he.

From Side-stepping with Shorty by Sewell Ford

Guess you ain't heard what they're takin' out of the Jayhawker these days.

From Side-stepping with Shorty by Sewell Ford

They drove the straggling oxen back to camp with a sense of great satisfaction, and in turn received the praise of their friends who said that Ed Doty was the best Jayhawker of the border.

From Death Valley in '49 by William Lewis Manly

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