Whiteboys

American  

[hwahyt-boiz, wahyt-] / ˈʰwaɪtˌbɔɪz, ˈwaɪt- /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. a secret agrarian peasant organization, active in Ireland during the early 1760s, whose members wore white shirts for recognition on their night raids to destroy crops, barns, and other property in redressing grievances against landlords and protesting the paying of tithes.

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Etymology

Origin of Whiteboys

white + boy + -s ³

Example Sentences

The northern societies soon came to an end; but the organization of the Whiteboys continued to spread, and for a time it assumed alarming proportions.

From Is Ulster Right? by Anonymous

The contentions of the Whiteboys regarding Irish landlordism have since been acknowledged to be just, and have been enacted into statutes.

From The Glories of Ireland by Lennox, P. J.

You remember when the Whiteboys were so troublesome, in our dear father's time, what life the officers stationed here then, threw into the country round.

From Rossmoyne by Unknown

Like all his other exploits, however, it was added to the catalogue of his daring conflicts with the Whiteboys, and, ere the lapse of twenty-four hours, was in possession of "his friend the Castle."

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

Some were afraid he'd give up the names of the other Whiteboys; but he did not.

From Poets and Dreamers Studies and translations from the Irish by Gregory, Lady