Bar"me*cide (?), n. [A prince of the Barmecide family, who, as related in the "Arabian Nights' Tales", pretended to set before the hungry Shacabac food, on which the latter pretended to feast.]
One who proffers some illusory advantage or benefit. Also used as an adj.: Barmecidal.
"A
Barmecide feast."
Dickens.
© Webster 1913.