whiteboy

noun

white·​boy
1
archaic : a favored person : pet
2
usually capitalized [so called from their wearing white shirts outside their other clothes as a means of recognition on their night raids] : one of an agrarian association formed among the Irish peasants in 1761 especially to redress their grievances against their landlords and to resist collection of tithes

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of whiteboy was in 1592

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near whiteboy

Cite this Entry

“Whiteboy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whiteboy. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!