outrider

American  

[out-rahy-der] / ˈaʊtˌraɪ dər /

noun

1. a mounted attendant riding before or beside a carriage.

2. (at a racetrack) a mounted rider who accompanies or leads a racehorse to the post.

3. a person who goes in advance of an automobile or person to clear a passage.

4. a person who leads the way or is a member of a vanguard; forerunner.

5. a person who rides out or forth, especially a scout, cowhand, ranch hand, or the like.

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outrider British  

/ ˈaʊtˌraɪdə /

noun

1. a person who goes ahead of a car, group of people, etc, to ensure a clear passage

2. a person who goes in advance to investigate, discover a way, etc; scout

3. a person who rides in front of or beside a carriage, esp as an attendant or guard

4. a mounted herdsman

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Etymology

Origin of outrider

1300–50; Middle English: official in a monastery; out-, rider

Example Sentences

An outrider finally caught the filly near the gap leading to the stable area.

From Washington Times • Sep. 28, 2019

The violation was originally issued by morning outrider Cindy Ellet.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 29, 2019

While extremely popular in its first two editions staged in front of sell-out crowds in Prague and Chicago, the competition backed by Roger Federer was seen as something of an outrider.

From Reuters • May 24, 2019

An outrider tried to swoop in at the top of the stretch and corral Bodexpress, but the horse sped up and passed a few competitors near the finish line and kept going.

From The Guardian • May 18, 2019

An outrider, a mounted attendant assigned to catch loose horses and assist injured ones, galloped up and grabbed Seabiscuit’s bridle.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• forerunner
• harbinger