1. plural of gombeen; usurious loans or transactions, especially those made by a moneylender at exploitative interest rates
Usage: chiefly Irish and British historical; often used in the context of rural lending practices
2. plural of gombeen; dishonest or fraudulent dealings; petty swindling
Usage: informal; chiefly Irish

Examples

• The landlord's gombeens left many tenants in debt for generations.
• Local gombeens were common in rural Ireland during the 19th century.
• He was known for his gombeens and dishonest business practices.
• The moneylender's gombeens exploited the poor farmers who had no other credit options.
• Stories of gombeens and corrupt dealings filled the village gossip.
• Such gombeens were eventually regulated by law to protect vulnerable borrowers.