A dull a mite

& s. [ Adullam (Heb.)= the cave mentioned in 1 Sam. xxii. 1, 2; -ite = a native of, one connected with.] A. As adjective : 1. Pertaining to the village or cave of Adullam, or the natives of the latter place. 2. Pertaining to the political party described under B. 2. B. As substantive: 1. Scripture : A native of the village of Adullam. ". and his friend Hirah, the A dull a mite ." Gen. xxxviii. 12. 2. Eng. Hist. Plural: The name or nickname of a political party which arose in 1866, and continued for a short time subsequently. In the year now mentioned, Earl Ru ell and Mr. Gladstone having introduced a Reform Bill embodying proposals for a considerable enlargement of the franchise, some of the more moderate Liberals declined to support it, and took counsel together how to prevent its pa ing into law. On this Mr. Bright, who was warmly in its favour, compared the new party to the discontented persons who repaired to King David when he was in the Cave of Adullam (1 Sam. xxii. 1, 2). The name took effect, and those to whom it was applied became, for the time, universally known as the A dull a mites. A more sweeping Reform Bill than that proposed in 1866 having been carried under a Conservative Government a year later, the A dull a mite party, which contained men widely differing on many points, ceased to act together, and gravitated some to the one and others to the other side of the House.