cateran

English

Etymology

From Scottish Gaelic ceatharn (“troop”), ceathairne (“peasantry, yeomanry”).

Pronunciation

(UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkatəɹən/

Noun

cateran (plural caterans)

(historical) A Highlander working as a professional fighter; a mercenary attached to a Scottish clan.
- 1932, Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Sunset Song:
  And the great-grandson of Cospatric, he joined the English against the cateran Wallace […].
- 2009, John Sadler, Glencoe, Amberley 2009, p. 41:
  They found the hire of lawyers more cost-effective than the maintenance of caterans.
A freebooter, marauder.

Translations

Highlander

Scottish Gaelic: ceatharnach m

freebooter

Scottish Gaelic: ceatharnach m

Anagrams

Cantera, cane rat, carnate

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