Chapter Above-board to Absquatulate of A by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Abraham Newland (An). A banknote. So called because, in the early part of the nineteenth century, none were genuine but those signed by this name.

Abrahamic Covenant The covenant made by God with Abraham, that Messiah should spring from his seed. This promise was given to Abraham, because he left his country and father's house to live in a strange land, as God told him.

Abrahamites (4 syl.) Certain Bohemian deists, so called because they professed to believe what Abraham believed before he was circumcised. The sect was forbidden by the Emperor Joseph II. in 1783.

Abram-colour Probably a corruption of Abron, meaning auburn. Halliwell quotes the following from Coriolanus, ii. 3: "Our heads are some brown, some black, some Abram, some bald." And again, "Where is the eldest son of Priam, the Abram-coloured Trojan?" "A goodly, long, thick Abram-coloured beard." - Blurt, Master Constable.

Hall, in his Satires, iii. 5, uses abron for auburn. "A lusty courtier ... with abron locks was fairly furnishëd."

Abram-Man or Abraham Cove. A Tom o' Bedlam; a naked vagabond; a begging impostor.

The Abraham Ward, in Bedlam, had for its inmates begging lunatics, who used to array themselves "with party-coloured ribbons, tape in their hats, a fox-tail hanging down, a long stick with streamers," and beg alms; but "for all their seeming madness, they had wit enough to steal as they went along." - Canting Academy.

See King Lear, ii. 3.

In Beaumont and Fletcher we have several synonyms: -

"And these, what name or title e'er they bear,
Jackman or Patrico, Cranke or Clapper-dudgeon,
Fraier or Abram-man, I speak to all." Beggar's Bush, ii. 1.

Abraxas Stones Stones with the word Abraxas engraved on them, and used as talismans. They were cut into symbolic forms combining a fowl's head, a serpent's body, and human limbs. (See Abracax.)

Abreast Side by side, the breasts being all in a line.

The ships were all abreast - i.e., their heads were all equally advanced, as soldiers marching abreast.

Abridge is not formed from the word bridge; but comes from the Latin abbreviare, to shorten, from brevis (short), through the French abréger (to shorten).

Abroach To set mischief abroach is to set it afoot. The figure is from a cask of liquor, which is broached that the liquor may be drawn from it. (Fr., brocher, to prick, abrocher.)

Abroad You are all abroad. Wide of the mark; not at home with the subject. Abroad, in all directions.

"An elm displays her dusky arms abroad." Dryden.

Abrogate When the Roman senate wanted a law to be passed, they asked the people to give their votes in its favour. The Latin for this is rogare legem (to solicit or propose a law). If they wanted a law repealed, they asked the people to vote against it; this was abrogare legem (to solicit against the law).

Absalom James, Duke of Monmouth, the handsome but rebellious son of Charles II. in Dryden's Absalom and Achitophel (1649--1685).

Absalom and Achitophel A political satire by Dryden (1649--1685). David is meant for Charles II.; Absalom for his natural son James, Duke of Monmouth, handsome like Absalom, and, like him, rebellious. Achitophel