forty-niner

noun

for·​ty-nin·​er ˌfȯr-tē-ˈnī-nər How to pronounce forty-niner (audio)
: one taking part in the rush to California for gold in 1849

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forty-niner was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near forty-niner

forty-nine dance

forty-niner

forty-ninth

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Cite this Entry

“Forty-niner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forty-niner. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

forty-niner

noun
for·​ty-nin·​er
ˌfȯrt-ē-ˈnī-nər
: a person who went to California in the gold rush of 1849
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