subs. (Irish).—A generic term of contempt.
1809–12. EDGEWORTH, Love and Law, i. 4. Catty. The SPALPEEN! turned into a buckeen, that would be a squireen,—but can’t.
d. 1845. HOOD, The Irish Schoolmaster, xxiv. How many pigs be born to each SPALPEEN.
1857. C. KINGSLEY, Two Years Ago, xix. I’ve brought away the poor SPALPEEN of a priest, and have got him safe in the house.
