redcoat

See also: red coat

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Bahuvrihi compound of red +‎ coat

Noun

redcoat (plural redcoats)

  1. A British soldier, especially during the American Revolution.
    • A. E. Housman, A Shropshire Lad
      The street sounds to the soldiers’ tread, / And out we troop to see: / A single redcoat turns his head, / He turns and looks at me.
  2. A member of the entertainment staff at Butlin's holiday camps in the United Kingdom, who wear red blazers.
    • Mirror News 16 May 13. The series ran from 1980 until 1988, and won a BAFTA for Best Comedy Series in 1984. It was based on Perry’s experiences working as a Redcoat in Butlins.
  3. (slang) A fox.
    • 1947, Pennsylvania Game News (volumes 18-19, page 30)
      Hurriedly he made his way around one end of the pond to the spot where he had first sighted the redcoat.

Usage notes

The soldier and entertainment staff uses are sometimes capitalised.

Synonyms

Anagrams

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