rebel

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun `Johnny' was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; `greyback' derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
  2. noun a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)
  3. noun someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action

Etymology

From Middle English rebel, rebell, from Old French rebelle, from Latin rebellis (“waging war again; insurgent”), from rebellō (“to wage war again, fight back”), from re- (“again, back”) + bellō (“to wage war”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

Reb, Johnny Reb, Johnny, greyback

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