‖ Rom
(rɒm)
Also pl. Roma(s), Rom.
[Gipsy (Romany) rom man, husband; pl. romá.]
a. A (male) gipsy, a Romany.
| 1841 Borrow Zincali Introd. (1846) 20 He is to live in a tent, as is befitting a Rom and a wanderer. Ibid. iii. 232 The..speech of the Roma, or Zincali, as they style themselves. 1862 R. H. Patterson Ess. Hist. & Art 141 The Israelites have a peculiar religion, to which they are fanatically attached; the Romas (gypseys) have none. 1883 Cent. Mag. Apr. 909/1 She had known the chiefs of her people in the days..when the Rom was a leader in the prize-ring, or noted as a highwayman. 1910 Encycl. Brit. XII 38/1 Only those who starting from the ancient Byzantine empire have travelled westwards..call themselves by the name of Rom. 1973 Guardian 26 Mar. 7/1 The continued historical prejudice against the Rom—as the gipsies call themselves. 1976 Sci. Amer. Jan. 131/2 The Rom always try to cooperate. |
b. attrib.
| 1973 Guardian 26 Mar. 7/2 The non-conforming way of life of the Rom people seems to attract increasing intolerance. 1976 Sci. Amer. Jan. 131/2 The Rom families that are studied here..spent almost half of their time away from home, travelling. |