maverick

Definition

Unbranded.

Etymology

Named after Texan lawyer and politician Samuel Maverick (1803–1870), who refused to brand his cattle. For probable origin and meaning, see Maverick. The poker noun sense (“a queen and a jack as a starting hand in Texas hold 'em”) may be from the theme song of the US Western television series Maverick (1957–1962), which says of the eponymous protagonist that “[g]amblin’ is his game” and that he is “livin’ on jacks and queens”.

Example Sentences

• "Occasionally some young men who have no cattle of their own will take part in these expeditions, or they will give their services by the year to receive a pro rata of all the maverick cattle that may be found. [Quoted from The Texas New Yorker, pages 110–111.]"
• "But I would rather have maverick cattle, they are more accustomed to range conditions. My cattle from the registered herd have not done too well."
• "Attempts to regulate the distribution of maverick cattle throughout the 1880s affected particularly the access of cowboys to mavericks."