grayback

American  

[grey-bak] / ˈgreɪˌbæk /

noun

1. any of various marine and aquatic animals that are dark gray above and light-colored or white below, as the gray whale, the alewife, certain whitefish, and certain sandpipers.

2. Informal. a Confederate soldier.

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Etymology

Origin of grayback

First recorded in 1805–15; gray ¹ + back ¹

Example Sentences

A grayback lizard darts out of the greasewood near at hand, blinks rapidly and darts back again, glad to escape the intolerable heat.

From Hopalong Cassidy by Mulford, Clarence E.

We found everything in fine order upon our return, and it was very evident that Cagey had taken good care of the house and Hal, but Billie grayback had taken care of himself.

From Army Letters from an Officer's Wife, 1871-1888 by Roe, Frances Marie Antoinette Mack

It would have been heartbreaking to have been obliged to come away without finding that little grayback, and perhaps never know what became of him.

From Army Letters from an Officer's Wife, 1871-1888 by Roe, Frances Marie Antoinette Mack

The silence that followed the words of the boy was broken by Quantrell's old grayback.

From A Man Four-Square by Raine, William MacLeod

He had now a pretty clear idea of what a "grayback" was.

From Si Klegg, Book 1 (of 6) His Transformation From A Raw Recruit To A Veteran by McElroy, John