Dictionary

greyback en · NOUN

From grey + back.

(US, colloquial, countable, historical, uncountable) A Confederate soldier during the US Civil War (because of the grey uniforms).
- 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:
- ...to resist the farther advance of the greybacks. 1871, Mary Stephens Robinson, A household story of the American conflict:
(US, colloquial, countable, historical, uncountable) A Confederate States dollar during the US Civil War.
(countable, dated, uncountable) A 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:
(countable, regional, uncountable) Any of various grey birds.
(countable, uncountable) A kind of paperboard with a smooth white surface on one side and a grey surface on the other side.
(US, countable, historical, uncountable) A Confederate States dollar.

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
grayback		alternative	lexicographic
greybacks	Number=Plur		lexicographic