A lazy monk; a reproachful name in regular use after the Reformation.
1538. Starkey, England, 131 (1872). The nuryschyng also of a grete sorte of idul abbey-lubbarys wych are apte to no thyng but as the byschoppys and abbotys be, only to ete and drynke.
1589. Thomas Nashe, Anat. Absur., 7. Those exiled Abbie-lubbers, from whose idle pens, proceeded those worne out impressions of the feyned no where acts, of Arthur of the rounde table.
1611. Cotgr., Archimarmitonerastique, an Abbey-lubber, or Arch-frequenter of the Cloyster beefe-pot, or beefe-boyler.
1655. Moufet & Bennet, Health’s Improv. (1746), 365. Maximinus the Emperor, who, like our old Abbay-lubbers, did eat till he sweat.
1693. W. Robertson, Phras. Gen., 446. A porridge-belly Friar, an abbey lubber.
1705. Hickeringill, Priest-Cr., II. iv. 45. The Dissolutions of Monasteries, that fed Abby-Lubbers and wanton Nuns.
Comb. Abbey-lubber-like.
1570. Barnabe Googe, Popish Kingdome, II. 23. So abby lubber lyke they liue, & Lordes they called bee.
