(The), subs. (common).—Money. See RHINO.
1771. FOOTE, The Maid of Bath, ii. Then I will straight set about getting THE NEEDFUL.
1821. P. EGAN, Life in London, I., iv. The diamond necklace … did not operate more strongly … than the poor woman’s flat-iron to raise THE NEEDFUL.
1836. The Comic Almanack, 45, ‘Transfer day.’ Needy men THE NEEDFUL need.
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, xxxviii. I passed, soon after that precious party, and my friends came down with THE NEEDFUL for this business.
1857. TOM HOOD, Pen and Pencil Pictures, 153. Let me have the pleasure of lending an old college-mate some of THE NEEDFUL!
1864. B. HEMYNG, Eton School Days, i., 3. Good-bye…. Here’s a supply of THE NEEDFUL.
1889. Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette, 8 Feb. Searching for THE NEEDFUL to satisfy so just a demand.
1900. Free Lance, 6 Oct., 20, 1. I am glad to take anything that comes along, even if it is only ten per. Someone had to get THE NEEDFUL, you know.
