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

The gentleman who killed the fatted calf offered but a Barmecide feast in comparison with the provender of my Norman friends.

From London Days A Book of Reminiscences by Warren, Arthur

To-morrow! the mysterious, unknown guest, Who cries aloud: "Remember Barmecide, And tremble to be happy with the rest!"

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 103, May, 1866 by Various

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

"Come now," said the Barmecide, "let us have supper."

From Fifty Famous Stories Retold by Baldwin, James