greyback

plural greybacks · alternative grayback

1. UScolloquialcountablehistoricaluncountableA Confederate soldier during the US Civil War (because of the grey uniforms).

   ...to resist the farther advance of the greybacks.

   1871, Mary Stephens Robinson, A household story of the American conflict

   1 more example

   Sheridan managed to keep the graybacks at bay while he tore up the railroad, but he abandoned the plan to link up with Hunter, and the southerners soon repaired the railroad.

   1988, James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, Oxford, published 2004, page 739

   Synonyms: graycoat, greycoat · Antonyms: bluecoat, bluebelly

2. UScolloquialcountablehistoricaluncountableA Confederate States dollar during the US Civil War.
3. countabledateduncountableA louse.

   It is alleged by the defendant that there were scabs and greybacks in it, and that it did not come up to the quality of No. 1 slate as contracted for.

   1886, Central Reporter: Cases, Courts of Last Resort

4. countableregionaluncountableAny of various grey birds.
5. countableuncountableA kind of paperboard with a smooth white surface on one side and a grey surface on the other side.
6. UScountablehistoricaluncountableA Confederate States dollar.