Whiteboy

British  

/ ˈwaɪtbɔɪ /

noun

1. Irish history a member of a secret society of violent agrarian protest, formed around 1760

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Etymology

Origin of Whiteboy

C18: adopted from the earlier use of the phrase as a term of endearment for a boy or man

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Whiteboy

"Come, then," said the colossal Whiteboy, "I'll show you where you're to lie."

From The Tithe-Proctor The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two by William Carleton

In the meantime, M'Carthy was soon overtaken by the friendly Whiteboy, whose speed; of foot was indeed extraordinary.

From The Tithe-Proctor The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two by William Carleton

In Munster, in 1833, out of 973 crimes, 627 were Whiteboy, or agrarian, and even of the remainder, many, being crimes of violence, were probably committed from the same motive.

From Handbook of Home Rule Being articles on the Irish question by Edwin Lawrence Godkin

There was a Whiteboy attack to force the stairs when she was a child, and I suppose we rehearsed that combat fully fifty—ay, five hundred times.

From Lord Kilgobbin by Charles James Lever

Burke had watched all movements in his native country, from the Whiteboy insurrection of 1761 downwards, with steady vigilance, and he watched the new movement of 1792 with the keenest eyes.

From Burke by John Morley

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