Definition of "carpetbag" [car•pet•bag]

• A traveling bag made of carpet fabric that was used chiefly in the United States during the 19th century. (noun)
• Carpetbagging. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "His decision to immediately depart that position and to "carpetbag" over from Burbank/Glendale over into the Eastern San Fernando Valley would not be met with joy by many of the voters who elected him in November."
• "Such states as had complied and given the negro the right to vote were under "carpetbag" rule."
• "Candace Chesterwood tossed a stack of silk handkerchiefs and a lavender pomade into her threadbare carpetbag and closed the latches with an authoritative snap."