Blackleg
noun
A person who works while others are on strike.
The workers on strike were angry at the blacklegs who crossed the picket line.
Often appears as...
- strike-breaking blackleg
- blackleg workers
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A disease in sheep caused by infection with the bacteria 'Clostridium chauvoei'.
The farmer had to isolate the sheep infected with blackleg to prevent it from spreading.
Often appears as...
- blackleg disease
- infected with blackleg
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A kind of gambling game also known as 'crown and anchor'.
He lost all his money playing blackleg at the fair.
Often appears as...
- playing blackleg
- blackleg game
Usage tips
Informal
noun
An unlicensed practitioner, in particular a lawyer or doctor who practices unlawfully.
The blackleg doctor was arrested for running an unlicensed clinic.
Often appears as...
- blackleg doctor
- blackleg lawyer
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
A person who works while others are on strike.
The workers on strike were angry at the blacklegs who crossed the picket line.
Often appears as...
- strike-breaking blackleg
- blackleg workers
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A disease in sheep caused by infection with the bacteria 'Clostridium chauvoei'.
The farmer had to isolate the sheep infected with blackleg to prevent it from spreading.
Often appears as...
- blackleg disease
- infected with blackleg
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A kind of gambling game also known as 'crown and anchor'.
He lost all his money playing blackleg at the fair.
Often appears as...
- playing blackleg
- blackleg game
Usage tips
Informal
noun
An unlicensed practitioner, in particular a lawyer or doctor who practices unlawfully.
The blackleg doctor was arrested for running an unlicensed clinic.
Often appears as...
- blackleg doctor
- blackleg lawyer
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Strike Context
Used negatively to describe workers who don't support a strike.
He's considered a blackleg for not joining the strike.
Pro Tip 2/2Labor Disputes
Often used in discussions about workers' rights and labor disputes.
Union members often resent blacklegs during a strike.
Pro Tip 1/2Strike Context
Used negatively to describe workers who don't support a strike.
He's considered a blackleg for not joining the strike.
Pro Tip 2/2Labor Disputes
Often used in discussions about workers' rights and labor disputes.
Union members often resent blacklegs during a strike.
Pro Tip 1/2Strike Context
Used negatively to describe workers who don't support a strike.
He's considered a blackleg for not joining the strike.
Pro Tip 2/2Labor Disputes
Often used in discussions about workers' rights and labor disputes.
Union members often resent blacklegs during a strike.
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Quote examples
Tariq Ali
Pakistani Historian
In my eyes, a patriot is little more than an international blackleg.
Quote examples
Tariq Ali
Pakistani Historian
In my eyes, a patriot is little more than an international blackleg.
Example 1 of 1
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