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Black sheep
noun
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A nonconformist; an unusual or unconventional person, who may be rejected or disdained by others for this reason. idiomatic
"He was the black sheep in the family, as an artist among doctors and lawyers."
- 2 sheep with a black coat wordnet
- 3 A person who is not wholesome, honest, or trustworthy. idiomatic
"“It’s just what I should have expected,” said Mr. Hawley, mounting his horse. “Any cursed alien blood, Jew, Corsican, or Gypsy.”¶ “I know he’s one of your black sheep, Hawley. But he is really a disinterested, unworldly fellow,” said Mr. Farebrother, smiling."
- 4 a reckless and unprincipled reprobate wordnet
- 5 A worker who refuses to strike; a scab. idiomatic
"It used to be the law that a black sheep could be brought into the fold of conformity: where there were 'recognised terms of employment – a standard created by a collective agreement or award covering a substantial proportion of the employers and workers in any trade or industry […]"
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- 6 Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see black, sheep.
"Baa baa black sheep have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, Three bags full."
See also for "black sheep"
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