greyback

English

Alternative forms

• grayback

Etymology

From grey +‎ back.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɡɹeɪbak/

Noun

greyback (plural greybacks)

1. (historical, US, colloquial) A Confederate soldier during the US Civil War (because of the grey uniforms).

   Coordinate term: bluebelly

   • 1871, Mary Stephens Robinson, A household story of the American conflict:

     ...to resist the farther advance of the greybacks.

   • 1988, James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, Oxford, published 2004, page 739:

     Sheridan managed to keep the graybacks at bay while he tore up the railroad, but he abandoned the plan to link up with Hunter, and the southerners soon repaired the railroad.

2. (dated) A louse.
   • 1886, Central Reporter: Cases, Courts of Last Resort:

     It is alleged by the defendant that there were scabs and greybacks in it, and that it did not come up to the quality of No. 1 slate as contracted for.

3. (regional) Any of various grey birds.

Derived terms

• greyback cane grub
• greyback goose