gombeen

American  

[gom-been] / gɒmˈbin /

noun

Irish English.

1. usury.

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Etymology

Origin of gombeen

1860–65; < Irish gaimbín interest, especially exorbitant interest, literally, bit, small piece, diminutive of gamba lump, hunk

Example Sentences

The arts as well as the crafts, the graces equally with the utilities must stand up in the marketplace and be judged by the gombeen men.

From The Crock of Gold by Stephens, James

The instalment was a very small one, but it was at once discounted by the gombeen man, whose rate of interest enabled him to run extraordinary risks.

From Disturbed Ireland Being the Letters Written During the Winter of 1880-81. by Becker, Bernard H.

This enormous rate of interest, however, is now only exacted on the very smallest loans, for the old-fashioned gombeen man has lost his customers for larger sums.

From Disturbed Ireland Being the Letters Written During the Winter of 1880-81. by Becker, Bernard H.

The business of the gombeen man is going, and one may well hope to see arise before long that thrift and energy characteristic of the peasant proprietor, whether in France, Belgium, or Lombardy.

From Ireland and the Home Rule Movement by McDonnell, Michael F. J.

Dungloe men wanted to fish, but the gombeen man would never lend money to promote industry.

From What's the Matter with Ireland? by Russell, Ruth