mossback

[ maws-bak, mos- ]

noun

1. Informal.
   1. a person holding very antiquated notions; reactionary.
   2. a person living in the backwoods; rustic.
2. an old turtle.
3. Angling. a large and old fish, as a bass.
4. a wild bull or cow.

mossback

/ ˈmɒsˌbæk /

noun

1. an old turtle, shellfish, etc, that has a growth of algae on its back
2. informal.
   a provincial or conservative person

Derived Forms

• ˈmossˌbacked, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mossback¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; moss + back ¹

Example Sentences

"I know that sort of crazy old mossback," muttered Welton as he turned down the mountain.

From Project Gutenberg

Two or three miles away was a little clearing where a mossback lived.

From Project Gutenberg

Again the mossback appeared in the doorway, shivering a little in his night-shirt.

From Project Gutenberg

But the asset side of our "mossback's" yearly balance sheet always made the liability side ashamed of itself.

From Project Gutenberg

The mossback, who according to popular belief hid himself in the woods until moss grew on his back, might or might not be a tory.

From Project Gutenberg