blueback

noun

blue·​back
ˈblü-ˌbak
1
: any of various fishes (such as lake herring or glut herring) having a blue or bluish color on the back
especially : blueback herring
2
[so called from the contrast of the blue ink used on its back to the green ink used on the back of the Northern greenback] archaic : a paper note of Confederate money
3
: a bluish discoloration of the backs of turkeys resulting from dissemination of feather pigment through the skin when immature feathers are broken
4
[so called from the color of the coat] : a young hooded seal

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blueback was in 1812

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Dictionary Entries Near blueback

Cite this Entry

“Blueback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blueback. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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