Pinkerton
/ˈpɪŋkətən/ name, noun
name, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An operative employed by the Pinkerton National Detective Agency founded by Allan Pinkerton (1819–1884). countable, dated
"My heart wells up in admiration of the man, as I think of his participation in the memorable struggle of Homestead. He fought the Pinkertons, the myrmidons of Capital."
Proper Noun
- 1 A habitational surname from Old English.
Example
More examples"My heart wells up in admiration of the man, as I think of his participation in the memorable struggle of Homestead. He fought the Pinkertons, the myrmidons of Capital."
Etymology
Habitational surname from a place near Dunbar, from an unexplained first element + Old English tūn (“enclosure”). This surname is well established in Scotland and Northern Ireland.