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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[Possibly in allusion to the parable of the beggar Lazarus in Luke xvi.

Murray (New Eng. Dict. ).

]

One of a set of vagabonds who formerly roamed through England, feigning lunacy for the sake of obtaining alms.

Nares.

To sham Abraham

to feign sickness.

Goldsmith.

See also: Abramman and Abram man

Abram-man ‎(plural Abram-men)

Alternative form of Abraham man
- c. 1620, Beggars' Bush, Act 2, Scene 1:
  Come, princes of the ragged regiment; / You 'o the blood, Prig, my most Upright-lord, / and these, what name or title e'er they bear, / Jarkman, or Patrico, Crank, or Clapper-dudgeon, / Frater, or Abram-man; I speak to all.
- 1823, Scott, Walter, Saint Ronan's Well:
  There is a trick for you to find out an Abram-man, and save sixpence when he begs of you as a disbanded seaman.