harman

plural harmans

1. obsoletethieves' cantA policeman.

   I Frisky Moll, with my rum coll, / Wou'd Grub in a bowzing ken; / But ere for the scran he had tipt the cole, / The Harman he came in.

   1724, “Frisky Moll's Song”, in Farmer, John Stephen, editor, Musa Pedestris, published 1896, page 41

   1 more example

   I pray you now send me some dub, / A bottle or two to the needy. / I beg you won't bring it yourself, / The harman is at the Old-Bailey; / I'd rather you'd send it behalf, / For, if they twig you they'll nail you.

   1765, “A Song in High Life”, in The Merry Medley, volume 1, London: W. Hoggard, page 35

2. chemistryAn indole alkaloid, 1-methyl-9H-β-carboline (C12H10N2) found in several foods, plants and beverages which is carcinogen. It is a specific, reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A.

   Harman is a common compound in several foods, plants and beverages. Numerous studies have demonstrated its mutagenic, co-mutagenic and carcinogenic effects; however, the exact mechanism has not been fully identified.

   2010, El Gendy MA, El-Kadi AO, Harman induces CYP1A1 enzyme through an aryl hydrocarbon receptor mechanism., Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, page 55

1. A surname.
2. An unincorporated community in Buchanan County, Virginia.
3. A town in Randolph County, West Virginia.