maverick

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Although too urbane to be described as a maverick, a misfit, or a loner, he could never quite bring himself to 'fit in' and it was always from an idiosyncratic external viewpoint that he observed literature, art, and, indeed, life.

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Definitions (11)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (3)

  1. noun An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.
  2. noun One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a dissenter.
  3. adjective Being independent in thought and action or exhibiting such independence: maverick politicians; a maverick decision.

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Maverick has been looked up 621 times, favorited twice, listed 51 times, and commented on 10 times.

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Etymologies (3)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Possibly after Samuel Augustus Maverick (1803-1870), American cattleman who left the calves in his herd unbranded .

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. So called from one Samuel Maverick, a Texan cattle-raiser, who, according to one account, relying upon the natural conformation of his cattle-range to prevent escape, neglected to brand his cattle, which, having on one occasion stampeded and scattered over the surrounding country, became confused with other unbranded cattle in that region, all such being presumed to be “Maverick's”; whence the term maverick for all such unbranded animals in the cattle region.
  2. from maverick, n.
 

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/ˈmævərɪk/
by American Heritage

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