or black-gentleman, subs. phr. (old).—The devil.
1606. DEKKER, Newes from Hell, in Works (GROSART), II., 113. Old Nick, called the BLACK GENTLEMAN.
1861. G. MEREDITH, Evan Harrington, iii., 23 (1885). ‘Rich as Crœsus, and as wicked as the BLACK MAN below!’ ‘as dear papa used to say.
