gombeen

noun

1. (archaic, countable, uncountable)Usury.
2. (Ireland, countable, historical, uncountable)A moneylender during the Great Famine.

   “It was said by some that he had been a moneylender back in Ireland; a ‘gombeen’ in their slang: a hated figure.”

3. (Ireland, countable, slang, uncountable)A mean, underhanded, corrupt person. Usually applied to politicians.

   “"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.”

adj

1. (Ireland)Corrupt, underhanded.

   “They were talking gombeen politics.”