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Abraham-man

noun
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Abra·​ham-man | \ ˈābrəˌhamˌman, -haa(ə)mˌmaa(ə)n; ˈābrəmˌ-, ˈābrəhəmˌ- \
variants: or less commonly Abram-man \ ˈābrəmˌ-​ \
plural Abraham-men also Abram-men

Definition of Abraham-man

: one of a class of beggars who roamed through England especially in the 16th and 17th centuries usually feigning lunacy to obtain alms

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First Known Use of Abraham-man

1567, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Abraham-man

after Abraham or Abram, Biblical patriarch of the Jews; probably from the New Testament reference (Luke 16:19–31) to the beggar Lazarus, who is said to have rested in Abraham's bosom after death

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The first known use of Abraham-man was in 1567

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Cite this Entry

“Abraham-man.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Abraham-man. Accessed 1 Mar. 2021.

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