subs. (old).—1. A mistress; (2) a footman in livery: also KNIGHT OF THE RAINBOW; and (3) a pattern book. [Dressed in or exhibiting variety of colour.]
1821. P. EGAN, Life in London, II. i. The pink of the ton and his RAINBOW—the Whitechapel knight of the cleaver and his fat rib—… they are “all there.” Ibid. II. vi. It was the custom of Logic never to permit the RAINBOW to announce him. Ibid. ‘Now, Dicky, out with your RAINBOW.’ ‘Here are the patterns, gentlemen, the very latest fashions.’
3. (costers’).—A sovereign; HALF-A-RAINBOW = ten shillings: see RHINO.
