Advertisement

Advertisement

Whiteboy

/ ˈwaɪtbɔɪ /

noun

  1. Irish history a member of a secret society of violent agrarian protest, formed around 1760
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of Whiteboy1

C18: adopted from the earlier use of the phrase as a term of endearment for a boy or man
Discover More

Example Sentences

Up to this time, Cussen had escaped suspicion of any participation in the Whiteboy proceedings.

This was the nearest approach he ever made to an admission that he had been involved in the Whiteboy movements.

As there was a strong gate at each side, the place was considered quite able to resist any Whiteboy attack.

His followers were more or less disguised, and all, except Cussen, had white shirts over their garments—hence the name Whiteboy.

In January 1787 Fitzgibbon introduced a stringent bill for repressing the Whiteboy outrages.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


white bookWhiteboys