subs. (old).—1. Generic for a representative of authority: a sheriff’s officer, a bailiff, a revenue officer, a watchman, and (in pl.) the press-gang [Judges xvi.].—B. E. (c. 1696); GROSE (1785); BEE (1823).
1751. FIELDING, Amelia, v. vi. She was too ignorant … to know that if he had fallen into the hands of the PHILISTINES he would hardly have been able so soon to recover his liberty.
1771. SMOLLETT, The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, ii. 191. I must make an effort to advance what further will be required to take my friend out of the hands of the PHILISTINES.
2. (old).—A drunkard: see LUSHINGTON.
1708–10. SWIFT, Polite Conversation, i. Lady Answ. But, Colonel, they say, you went to Court last Night very drunk: Nay, I’m told for certain you had been among PHILISTINES.
3. (provincial).—‘Earwigs and such like insect tormentors.’—B. E. (c. 1696).
4. See PHILISTIA.
