/ad"euhm/ for 1, 3, 5-8; /ann dahonn"/ for 2, 4 , n.
1. the name of the first man: husband of Eve and progenitor of the human race. Gen. 2:7; 5:1-5.
2. Adolphe Charles /ann dawlf" shannrddl/ , 1803-56, French composer of comic opera and ballet music.
3. James , 1730-94, and his brother Robert , 1728-92, English architects and furniture designers.
4. Lambert Sigisbert /lahonn berdd" see zheez berdd"/ , 1700-59, and his brother Nicholas Sébastien /nee kaw lah" say bahs tyaonn"/ , 1705-78, French sculptors.
5. a male given name.
6. not know from Adam , to be unacquainted with: He says hello to us every morning, but we don't know him from Adam.
7. the old Adam , the natural tendency toward sin: He attributed his wild outburst to the old Adam in him.
adj.
8. of or pertaining to the style of architecture, decoration, or furnishings associated with Robert and James Adam, characterized by free adaptation of ancient Roman forms and interiors treated with delicate ornament generally painted in light, vivid colors.
[ adham lit., man ]