spec. A native or inhabitant of the German Palatinate; esp. a refugee from this region who settled in North America (now historical).

A native or inhabitant of a palatinate (sense A. 1), esp. the German Palatinate. Cf. palatine, adj.1 5. Now historical.

a refugee from an oppressive government, an exiled political opponent.

Originally: a European refugee, spec. one from Germany or German-occupied Europe before the Second World War (1939–45). Now gen.: any refugee or…

one who seeks refuge in another country, etc., from the effects of war; a displaced person.

A refugee who has left a country by sea (see boat people, n. 2).

Any of the tens of thousands of Cuban refugees who sailed from Mariel to Florida in 1980 as a result of a temporary relaxation of emigration…