| Part of Speech | Definition | |
| Noun | 1. One of a set of vagabonds who formerly roamed through England, feigning lunacy for the sake of obtaining alms.[Websters]. | |
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Date "ABRAM-MAN" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1898. (references) |
Specialty Definition: ABRAM-MAN
| Domain | Definition | ||
| Literature | 1: Fraier or Abram-man, I speak to all." Beggar's Bush, ii. 1. 2: "And these, what name or title e'er they bear, 3: Abram-Man or Abraham Cove. A Tom o' Bedlam; a naked vagabond; a begging impostor. 4: In Beaumont and Fletcher we have several synonyms: - 5: Jackman or Patrico, Cranke or Clapper-dudgeon, 6: The Abraham Ward, in Bedlam, had for its inmates begging lunatics, who used to array themselves "with party-coloured ribbons, tape in their hats, a fox-tail hanging down, a long stick with streamers," and beg alms; but "for all their seeming madness, they had wit enough to steal as they went along." - Canting Academy. 7: See King Lear, ii. 3. Source: Brewer's Dictionary. | ||
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
