Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
Synonym of mossyback (“a person with old-fashioned views; hence, one who is very conservative or reactionary”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, informal
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: conservative, reactionary, retrograde, traditionalist, mossyback
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A person who stayed hidden to evade conscription (especially by the Confederate States Army) during the American Civil War (1861–1865); a mossyback.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, historical, informal
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Senses relating to animals.
A turtle that, because of its age, has a growth of algae on its back
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Senses relating to animals.
A common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Senses relating to animals.
Synonym of mossyback (“a fish that is large and old, especially one that has algae growing on its back”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
Topics: fishing, hobbies, lifestyle
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: mossyback
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Senses relating to animals.
A largemouth bass or moss bass (Micropterus salmoides).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
an extremely old-fashioned conservative
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: conservative, conservativist
History
From moss + back (in senses 1 (“person with old-fashioned views; one who is very conservative or reactionary”) and 2.3 (“fish that is large and old”) probably a variant of mossyback, which is attested earlier), alluding to someone or something that is so old or has remained so unmoving that it is as if moss has grown on them or it. Sense 2.4 (“largemouth bass”) may refer to the back of the fish being a dark green colour.
Across languages
2 source translations are retained for this English entry.
