potwalloper

noun

pot·​wal·​lop·​er
ˈpäˌtwäləpə(r)
variants or less commonly potwaller
-lə(r)
: a voter living in an English borough before the Reform Act of 1832 and qualifying for suffrage as a householder by the boiling of his own pot at his own fireplace

Word History

Etymology

potwalloper alteration (influenced by wallop) of potwaller, from pot entry 1 + obsolete English wall to boil (from Middle English wallen, from Old English weallan) + English -er

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near potwalloper

Cite this Entry

“Potwalloper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potwalloper. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!