greyback /ˈɡɹeɪbak/ noun6 •(US, informal) A Confederate soldier during the US Civil War (because of the grey uniforms)....to resist the farther advance of the greybacks. — 1871 •(old-fashioned) A louse.It is alleged by the defendant that there were scabs and greybacks in it, and that it did not come up to the quality of No. 1 slate as contracted for. — 1886 •(US, informal) A Confederate States dollar during the US Civil War. •(US, historical) A Confederate States dollar. •Any of various grey birds. •A kind of paperboard with a smooth white surface on one side and a grey surface on the other side. formsgreybacks