bounty jumper

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

One who, during the latter part of the Civil War, enlisted in the United States service, and deserted as soon as possible after receiving the bounty.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English
Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “bounty jumper” mean?

One who, during the latter part of the Civil War, enlisted in the United States service, and deserted as soon as possible after receiving the bounty.

Is “bounty jumper” formal or informal?

bounty jumper is generally slang.