Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A war (1880–1881) in which Britain unsuccessfully attempted to enforce its annexation of the Boer territory in the Transvaal.
  • noun A war (1899–1902) between an alliance of the Boer governments of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State on the one hand and Great Britain on the other, over the sovereignty and commercial rights in these lands. The war ended with British victory.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun either of two wars: the first when the Boers fought England in order to regain the independence they had given up to obtain British help against the Zulus (1880-1881); the second when the Orange Free State and Transvaal declared war on Britain (1899-1902)

Etymologies

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Examples

  • A notable incident in his career was when, with practically the whole country inflamed against him, owing to his attitude on the Boer War, he decided to go down to Birmingham, the seat and stronghold of Joseph

    Lloyd George The Man and His Story Frank Dilnot

  • He doubted Hay’s endurance, the President’s firmness in supporting him, and the loyalty of his party-friends; but all this worry on Hay’s account fretted him not nearly so much as the Boer War did on his own.

    Indian Summer (1898–1899) 1918

  • He fixed Paddock with his eyeglass, just like a British officer, asked him about the Boer War, and slung out at me a lot of stuff about imaginary pals.

    The Thirty-Nine Steps 1915

  • He fixed Paddock with his eyeglass, just like a British officer, asked him about the Boer War, and slung out at me a lot of stuff about imaginary pals.

    The Thirty-Nine Steps John Buchan 1907

  • Rhodesia, the second Boer War, and many other matters which in these quick-moving times are now reckoned as ancient history.

    Marie An Episode in The Life of the late Allan Quatermain Henry Rider Haggard 1890

  • You were His Majesty's _attaché_ with us during the Boer War, I think.

    The World Peril of 1910 George Chetwynd Griffith 1881

  • _History of the Boer War in 1881_ is well known, had scarcely left his home, next door to the Intelligence Department's headquarters, when shells began to fall in his beautiful garden among rose trees, hollyhocks, dahlias, verbenas, and other familiar English flowers, which he cultivated with much care.

    Four Months Besieged The Story of Ladysmith 1874

  • British Army during the Second Boer War, is frequently considered the founder of Scouting.

    All articles at Blogcritics 2010

  • Sudan, Boer War, etc. Amazing to think that in 30 years time an old soldier will reminisce about Old fallingplate ...

    Army Rumour Service 2010

  • There's even a newspaper clipping about a 'Mentioned In Despatches' during th Boer War for someone for someone who I assume is a relative, but can't find in the family tree.

    kevgillett.net 2009

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