subs. (old).—1. A miser; a usurer. Also GRIPER or GRIPE-FIST (q.v.). For synonyms, see HUNKS and SIXTY-PER-CENT. GRIPING = extortion.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. GRIPE, or GRIPER. An old covetous wretch. Also a banker, money scrivener, or usurer.
2. In pl. (colloquial).—The colic; the stomach ache; the COLLYWOBBLES. For synonyms, see JERRY-GO-NIMBLE.
1684. BUNYAN, Pilgrim’s Progress, Pt. II. He concluded that he was sick of the GRIPES.
1705. The Character of a Sneaker, in Harleian Miscellany (ed. PARK), II., 356. He never looks upon her Majesty’s arms but Semper Eadem gives him the GRIPES.
1714. Spectator, No. 559. Meeting the true father, who came towards him with a fit of the GRIPES, he begged him to take his son again, and give back his cholic.
1812. COMBE, Dr. Syntax, Tour in Search of the Picturesque, c. xxvi.
| That he who daily smokes two pipes | |
| The tooth-ache never has—nor GRIPES. |
