English edit

 
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Etymology edit

From Irish gaimbín (monetary interest).

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

gombeen (countable and uncountable, plural gombeens)

  1. (archaic) Usury.
  2. (historical, Ireland) A moneylender during the Great Famine.
    • 2002, Joseph O'Connor, Star of the Sea, Vintage, published 2003, page xix:
      It was said by some that he had been a moneylender back in Ireland; a ‘gombeen’ in their slang: a hated figure.
  3. (Ireland, slang) A mean, underhanded, corrupt person. Usually applied to politicians.
    • 1955, J P Donleavy, The Ginger Man, France, published 1955 (France), page 108:
      "Could you give me two ounces of butter?"
      "Well, I don't know. We sell butter usually by the weight half pound or a pound."
      "Do you sell quarter pounds?"
      "Well, I think so."
      "Could you give me half a quarter pound?"
      "Yes."
      "Half a quarter pound then."
      Sebastian watching him. O you sly gombeen man. The backs of these stores, most sordid places in the world. You stupid, intolerable oaf.

Derived terms edit

Adjective edit

gombeen

  1. (Ireland) Corrupt, underhanded.
    They were talking gombeen politics.