Redcoats

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The informal term for British soldiers during the American Revolutionary War, typically characterized by their distinctive red uniforms
2. A reference to the military forces of Great Britain, especially noted for their iconic red coats worn in battle
3. A colloquial expression describing the soldiers of the British Army known for the vibrant red garments that symbolize their identity and era

Etymology: "Redcoats" is the plural of "redcoat," so it is the form of a word that names a soldier by the colour of his coat. "Redcoat" is a bahuvrihi compound, a construction in which the whole names a thing defined by one of its features: a "redcoat" is not a kind of coat but a person wearing one. The pattern is old and simple, built from "red" and "coat," with the red coat standing in for the man inside it. The term became the standard nickname for British soldiers in the American colonies because of their uniforms, which were predominantly red. Here the word's identity rests on a single visible detail, so the nickname did its job as a quick way of distinguishing the British troops from the colonial forces they fought.

Synonyms: British soldiers, troops, militia, infantry, cavalry

Antonyms: rebels, colonists, insurgents, patriots, freedom fighters