blackleg

[ blak-leg ]

noun

1. Also called black quarter,. Veterinary Pathology. an infectious, often fatal disease of cattle and sheep, caused by the soil bacterium Clostridium chauvoei and characterized by painful, gaseous swellings in the muscles, usually of the upper parts of the legs.
2. Plant Pathology.
   1. a disease of cabbage and other cruciferous plants, characterized by dry, black lesions on the base of the stem, caused by a fungus, Phoma lingam.
   2. a disease of potatoes, characterized by wet, black lesions on the base of the stem, caused by a bacterium, Erwinia atroseptica.
3. a swindler, especially in racing or gambling.
4. British Informal. a strikebreaker; scab.

verb (used with object)

, British Informal.

, black·legged, black·leg·ging.

1. to replace (a worker) who is on strike.
2. to refuse to support (a union, union workers, or a strike).
3. to betray or deceive (a person or cause).

verb (used without object)

, black·legged, black·leg·ging.

1. British Informal. to return to work before a strike is settled.

blackleg

/ ˈblæklɛɡ /

noun

1. Also calledscab
   1. a person who acts against the interests of a trade union, as by continuing to work during a strike or taking over a striker's job
   2. ( as modifier )

      blackleg labour

2. Also calledblack quarter an acute infectious disease of cattle, sheep, and pigs, characterized by gas-filled swellings, esp on the legs, caused by Clostridium bacteria
3. plant pathol
   1. a fungal disease of cabbages and related plants caused by Phoma lingam , characterized by blackening and decay of the lower stems
   2. a similar disease of potatoes, caused by bacteria
4. a person who cheats in gambling, esp at cards or in racing

verb

1. to act against the interests of a trade union, esp by refusing to join a strike

Word History and Origins

Origin of blackleg¹

First recorded in 1715–25; black + leg; the origin of nonliteral senses is unclear; jackleg

Example Sentences

It wad be awfu' to hear folk cryin' 'Blackleg' after yir faither, wadna' it, Mysie?

From Project Gutenberg

Is it to a house which displays the royal arms over the entrance-door men come to play blackleg or clown?

From Project Gutenberg

Cards are also going all day long, and there is generally a Fancy-man—or blackleg—ready to oblige a friend.

From Project Gutenberg

You and your master are cheats, he says, and your master is a blackleg besides, he says.

From Project Gutenberg

I told my son to discharge that knave; a scoundrel, a blackleg, a gambler, who ought to be hanged.

From Project Gutenberg