Barmecide

American  

[bahr-muh-sahyd] / ˈbɑr məˌsaɪd /

noun

1. a member of a noble Persian family of Baghdad who, according to a tale in The Arabian Nights' Entertainments, gave a beggar a pretended feast with empty dishes.

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adjective

1. Barmecidal.

Barmecide British  

/ ˈbɑːmɪˌsaɪd /

adjective

1. lavish or plentiful in imagination only; illusory; sham

   a Barmecide feast

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Etymology

Origin of Barmecide

< Persian Barmekī family name, literally, offspring of Barmek, with -ide -id ¹ for Persian -ī < Arabic

Example Sentences

The latter piece, titled “The Barmecide Feast,” is well built — down to the corny Late Empire porcelains employed as backdrop on the luminous white set.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2017

It's like sitting at a Barmecide feast, very hungry, only the Barmecide's sitting opposite you eating all the time and talking about his food.

From The Invader A Novel by Woods, Margaret L. (Margaret Louisa)

To write without having the subject abundantly in mind is to invite the reader to a Barmecide feast of empty dishes.

From Vocal Expression A Class-book of Voice Training and Interpretation by Everts, Katherine Jewell

The Barmecide spoke of sweet-meats and fruits; and Schacabac made believe that he was eating them.

From Fifty Famous Stories Retold by Baldwin, James

"Say not a word," said the Barmecide, "but let us get ready for the feast."

From Fifty Famous Stories Retold by Baldwin, James