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

But why, Alick, are you surrounded by such a number of Whiteboys.

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

Having now passed through a considerable extent of country, in which the Whiteboys were common, and committed many outrages, I shall here review the intelligence I received concerning them throughout the county of Kilkenny. 

From A Tour in Ireland 1776-1779 by Morley, Henry

From Armagh we marched to Naas, the country to the south having become much disturbed by the Whiteboys, as they termed themselves.

From Twenty-Five Years in the Rifle Brigade by Surtees, William

The movement was agrarian, not religious, though the Whiteboys were catholics, nor political.

From The Political History of England - Vol. X. The History of England from the Accession of George III to the close of Pitt's first Administration by Poole, Reginald Lane

He meant by that that he didn't give up the names of the other Whiteboys.

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