subs. (parliamentary).—1. A nickname for seceding Liberals who in 1866 voted Tory because dissatisfied with a Liberal measure for the extension of the Franchise. [See 1 Sam. xxii. 1.] The political party in question were also known collectively as ‘The Cave.’ Hence (2) see quot. 1870; and ADULLAMY—ratting.
1866. BRIGHT, Speeches (1876), 349. The right honourable gentleman … is the first of the new party who has retired into what may be called his political CAVE OF ADULLAM.
1870. Notes & Queries, 5 March, 241. The … ‘CAVE OF ADULLAM’ has become an adopted byword for a small clique who … obstruct the party with which they usually associate.
1878–80. JUSTIN MCCARTHY, A History of Our Own Times, 142. The little third party were at once christened the ADULLAMITES, and the name still survives and is likely long to survive its old political history.
1884. New York Times, 19 July. The Conservative party … received besides a large reinforcement of ADULLAMITES from the Liberal side.
