2. Noun. (historical Ireland) A moneylender during the Famine. ¹
3. Noun. (Ireland slang) A mean, underhanded, corrupt person. Usually applied to politicians. ¹
4. Adjective. (Ireland) Corrupt, Underhanded. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Gombeen
1. usury [n -S] - See also: usury
Lexicographical Neighbors of Gombeen
Literary usage of Gombeen
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Paraguay on Shannon: The Price of a Political Priesthood ; Remarks on Policy by Frank Hugh O'Donnell (1908)
"The gombeen grocer is a shopkeeper who, besides letting his customers have their
supplies on a long credit and long prices, also directly lends sums of ..."
2. Irish Literature by Justin McCarthy, Maurice Francis Egan, Douglas Hyde, Charles Welsh, Gregory, James Jeffrey Roche (1904)
"THE gombeen MAN. From 'The Snake's Pass.' In the midst of the buzz of conversation
the clattering of hoofs was heard. There was a shout, and the door opened ..."
3. Ireland Under Coercion: The Diary of an American by William Henry Hurlbert (1888)
"But it blooms all over with evidences of the prosperity of that interesting type
of Irish civilisation, the " gombeen man," of whom I had heard so much at ..."
4. Industrial Ireland: A Practical and Non-political View of "Ireland for the by Robert Dennis (1887)
"... in Ireland—Markets for Irish Produce—English Agents at the Fairs—Their
Monopoly—Advances made by them to Farmers—The " gombeen " Man—Usury and Banking. ..."
Other Resources:
Galician