Abraham-man

noun

Abra·​ham-man

ˈābrəˌhamˌman,

-haa(ə)mˌmaa(ə)n;

ˈābrəmˌ-,

ˈābrəhəmˌ-

variants or less commonly Abram-man

ˈābrəmˌ-

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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined above

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