haversack — (n.) 1749, from Fr. havresac (1670s), from Low Ger. hafersach cavalry trooper s bag for horse provender, lit. oat sack, from the common Germanic word for oat (see HAVER (Cf. haver) (1) + SACK (Cf. sack) (n.1)) … Etymology dictionary
haversack — ► NOUN ▪ a small, stout bag carried on the back or over the shoulder. ORIGIN obsolete German Habersack, denoting a bag used to carry oats as horse feed, from dialect Haber oats + Sack sack, bag … English terms dictionary
haversack — [hav′ər sak΄] n. [Fr havresac < Ger habersack, lit., sack of oats < haber (now hafer < LowG), akin to E dial. haver, oats (? orig. “goat food” < IE base * kapro > L caper, goat) + Ger sack, SACK1] a canvas bag for carrying rations … English World dictionary
Haversack — A haversack is a bag, carried by a single shoulder strap. Although similar to a backpack the single shoulder strap differentiates this type from normal backpacks.In Australia, the word haversack is often used to describe any backpack … Wikipedia
haversack — UK [ˈhævə(r)ˌsæk] / US [ˈhævərˌsæk] noun [countable] Word forms haversack : singular haversack plural haversacks British old fashioned a large bag that you carry on your back or over one shoulder, for example when you go walking or camping … English dictionary
haversack — [18] Etymologically, a haversack is a ‘bag for oats’. The word comes via French havresac from German habersack, a compound formed from the now dialectal haber ‘oats’ and sack ‘bag’. This denoted originally a bag used in the army for feeding oats… … The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins
haversack — [[t]hæ̱və(r)sæk[/t]] haversacks N COUNT A haversack is a canvas bag that is usually worn over one shoulder. [mainly BRIT] … English dictionary
haversack — [18] Etymologically, a haversack is a ‘bag for oats’. The word comes via French havresac from German habersack, a compound formed from the now dialectal haber ‘oats’ and sack ‘bag’. This denoted originally a bag used in the army for feeding oats… … Word origins
haversack — noun Etymology: French havresac, from German Habersack bag for oats, from Haber oats + Sack bag Date: 1749 a bag similar to a knapsack but worn over one shoulder … New Collegiate Dictionary
haversack — /hav euhr sak /, n. 1. a single strapped bag worn over one shoulder and used for carrying supplies. 2. a soldier s bag for rations, extra clothing, etc. [1740 50; earlier havresack < F havresac < G Habersack, equiv. to Haber oats (cf. dial. E… … Universalium
