Abraham-man

noun Abra·ham-man \ ˈābrəˌhamˌman , -haa(ə)mˌmaa(ə)n ; ˈābrəmˌ- , ˈābrəhəmˌ- \

variants: or less commonly Abram-man \ˈābrəmˌ-\

Definition of Abraham-man

plural Abraham-men also Abram-men

: 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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Origin and Etymology of 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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First Known Use: 1567

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year