noun / adjective
maverick
MAV-er-ik/mˈævɝɪk/
An unbranded young animal outside an owner's identified herd.
The rancher spots a maverick grazing apart from the branded herd.
Etymology
Maverick’s name became a term for unbranded cattle because he neglected to brand his calves. Through the idea of being “masterless,” it came to describe an independent, unconventional person.
In context
Uh he's protecting someone. I think he's probably suppressing evidence at that point. Hardy's a bit of a maverick and uh he'll do what he has to do.
More examples
- Without a brand, the maverick is hard to trace to an owner.
- Two mavericks wander into the corral during the roundup.
- The crew separates the maverick calves from the branded cattle.
Forms
maverick · mavericks
Similar words
- stray
- An animal that has wandered away, not necessarily young or unbranded.
- calf
- A young cow, regardless of branding or herd membership.