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Jayhawker

American  
[jey-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

There were some others connected more or less with the party at some part of the trip, but not coming in with the Jayhawker organization.

From Death Valley in '49 by Manly, William Lewis

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

From Side-stepping with Shorty by Ford, Sewell

The Jayhawker crowd seemed to think they could go anywhere and no difficulty could happen which they couldn't overcome.

From Death Valley in '49 by Manly, William Lewis

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