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blacklegs - 2 dictionary results

black⋅leg

[blak-leg]

noun, verb, -legged, -leg⋅ging.

–noun

1.	Also called black quarter, symptomatic anthrax. Veterinary Pathology. an infectious, often fatal disease of cattle and sheep, caused by the soil bacterium Clostridium chauvoei and characterized by painful, gaseous swellings in the muscles, usually of the upper parts of the legs.

Plant Pathology.

a.	a disease of cabbage and other cruciferous plants, characterized by dry, black lesions on the base of the stem, caused by a fungus, Phoma lingam.

b.	a disease of potatoes, characterized by wet, black lesions on the base of the stem, caused by a bacterium, Erwinia atroseptica.

3.	a swindler, esp. in racing or gambling.

4.	British Informal. a strikebreaker; scab.

–verb (used with object) British Informal.

5.	to replace (a worker) who is on strike.

6.	to refuse to support (a union, union workers, or a strike).

7.	to betray or deceive (a person or cause).

–verb (used without object)

8.	British Informal. to return to work before a strike is settled.

Origin:
1715–25; black + leg; orig. of nonliteral senses unclear; cf. jackleg

Link To blacklegs

black·leg (blāk'lěg')

An infectious, usually fatal bacterial disease of cattle and sometimes of sheep, goats, and swine, caused by Clostridium chauvoe and characterized by gas-containing swellings in the musculature.
A bacterial or fungal disease of certain plants, such as the cabbage and potato, that causes the stems to turn black at the soil line.
One who cheats at cards; a cardsharp.
Chiefly British A worker who is opposed to trade unions; a scab.

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