spalpeen

spalpeen
/spal peen", spal"peen/, n. Irish Eng.
1. a lad or boy.
2. a rascal; scamp.
[1770-80; < Ir spailpín seasonal hired laborer, rude person, scamp, equiv. to spailp spell, bout, turn + -ín n. suffix]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Spalpeen — Spal peen, n. [Ir. spailpin, fr. spailp a beau, pride, self conceit.] A scamp; an Irish term for a good for nothing fellow; often used in good humored contempt or ridicule. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spalpeen — [spal pēn′] n. [Ir spailpīn] Irish a scamp or rascal …   English World dictionary

  • Spalpeen — A spalpeen is a late 18th century term denoting a poor migratory farm worker in Ireland. Spalpeen comes from the Irish word spailpin. Also, a spalpeen is viewed as a rascal or mischievous and cunning person. Also, it is an Irish term for a good… …   Wikipedia

  • spalpeen — /ˈspælpin/ (say spalpeen) noun 1. a workman or labourer. 2. a rascal; knave. 3. a boy. {Irish Gaelic spailpín; origin uncertain} …  

  • spalpeen — noun Etymology: Irish spailpín seasonal laborer, rascal Date: 1767 chiefly Irish rascal …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • spalpeen — noun /spalˈpiːn/ a) A poor migratory farm worker in Ireland, often viewed as a rascal or mischievous and cunning person. b) A good for nothing person, often used so named during a good humored …   Wiktionary

  • spalpeen — n. rascal, mischievous person (Irish term); useless person, good for nothing (Irish term); poor farm worker …   English contemporary dictionary

  • spalpeen — [spal pi:n] noun Irish a rascal. Origin C18 (denoting a migratory farm worker): from Ir. spailpín, of unknown origin …   English new terms dictionary

  • spalpeen — spal·peen …   English syllables

  • spalpeen — n. Ir. 1 a rascal; a villain. 2 a youngster. Etymology: Ir. spailpiacuten, of unkn. orig …   Useful english dictionary

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