gombeen
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Irish gaimbín (“monetary interest”).
Pronunciation [edit]
- IPA: /ɡɒmˈbiːn/
Noun [edit]
gombeen (plural gombeens)
- (archaic) Usury.
- (historical, Ireland) A moneylender during the Great Famine.
- 2002, Joseph O'Connor, Star of the Sea, Vintage 2003, p. xix:
- It was said by some that he had been a moneylender back in Ireland; a ‘gombeen’ in their slang: a hated figure.
- 2002, Joseph O'Connor, Star of the Sea, Vintage 2003, p. xix:
- (Ireland, slang) A mean, underhanded, corrupt person. Usually applied to politicians.
Adjective [edit]
gombeen
- (Ireland) Corrupt, underhanded.
- They were talking gombeen politics.
