subs. (old).—1. A drawf; a pigmy: in contempt (GROSE).
1383. CHAUCER, The Monk’s Tale, Prologue, 67.
| We borel men been SHRYMPES; | |
| Of fielde trees ther comen wrecched ympes. |
1582. STANYHURST, Æneis [ARBER], 89.
| A windbeaten hard SHRIMP, | |
| With lanck wan visadge, with rags iags patcherye clowted. |
1623. SHAKESPEARE, 1 Henry VI., ii. 3. 23.
| It cannot be, this weake and writhled SHRIMPE | |
| Should strike such terror to his enemies. |
1772. GARRICK, Irish Widow, i. 1. Whit. Why, your wife is five feet ten! Kec. Without her shoes. I hate your little SHRIMPS.
1786. BURNS, The Jolly Beggars. Despise that SHRIMP, that wither’d imp.
1837. R. H. BARHAM, The Ingoldsby Legends (Aunt Fanny) (1863), 315.
| And all for a “SHRIMP” not as high as my hat— | |
| A little contemptible “Shaver” like that!! |
1888. Referee, 11 Nov. Other nippers—little SHRIMPS of boys.
2. (old).—A prostitute: see TART.
1638. WHITING, Albino and Bellama, 52.
| Vat tough me vil not lye vit pimpes, | |
| And pend me’s coyne on light-teale SHRIMPES. |
