cateran

American  

[kat-er-uhn] / ˈkæt ər ən /

noun

1. (formerly) a freebooter or marauder of the Scottish Highlands.

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cateran British  

/ ˈkætərən /

noun

1. (formerly) a member of a band of brigands and marauders in the Scottish highlands

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Etymology

Origin of cateran

1325–75; < Medieval Latin caterānus, Latinized form of Middle English ( Scots ) catherein < Scots Gaelic ceatharn; kern ¹

Example Sentences

They had expected Rob to be a much more imposing and majestic cateran, and complained that his foot was set too late on his native heather.

From Rob Roy — Volume 01 by Scott, Walter, Sir

Keep me!" she cried, struggling with her mirth, "you have the finest timber face--and you to marry the daughter of a Hieland cateran!

From David Balfour, Second Part Being Memoirs Of His Adventures At Home And Abroad, The Second Part: In Which Are Set Forth His Misfortunes Anent The Appin Murder; His Troubles With Lord Advocate Grant; Captivity On The Bass Rock; Journey Into Holland And France; And Singular Relations With James More Drummond Or Macgregor, A Son Of The Notorious Rob Roy, And His Daughter Catriona by Stevenson, Robert Louis

It was the fault of yon Highland cateran, whom it is my curse to be cumbered with; but he shall go back to his glens tomorrow, or taste the tolbooth of the burgh.

From The Fair Maid of Perth Or, St. Valentine's Day by Scott, Walter, Sir

This was not the common talk of a Border cateran.

From The Half-Hearted by Buchan, John

Wulf laughed, but found him surprising, as the cateran spirit of his forebears came uppermost with this tremendous opportunity.

From Maid of the Mist by Oxenham, John