Adam, Parson Abraham. A country curate in Fielding's novel of "Joseph Andrews;" distinguished for his goodness of heart, poverty, learning, and ignorance of the world, combined with courage, modesty, and a thousand oddities.

"As to Parson Adams, and his fist, and his good heart, and his Æschylus which he couldn't see to read, and his rejoicing at being delivered from a ride in the carriage with Mr. Peter Pounce, whom he had erroneously complimented on the smallness of his parochial means, let every body rejoice that there has been a man in the world called Henry Fielding to think of such a character, and thousands of good people sprinkled about that world to answer for the truth of it; for had there not been, what would have been its value? ... He is one of the simplest, but at the same time manliest of men; is anxious to read a man of the world his sermon on 'vanity;' preaches patience under affliction, and is ready to lose his senses on the death of his little boy; in short, has 'every virtue under heaven,' except that of superiority to the common failings of humanity, or of being able to resist knocking a rascal down when he insults the innocent. He is very poor; and, agreeably to the notions of refinement in those days, treated by the rich as if he were little better than a servant himself. Even their stewards think it a condescension to treat him on equal terms."
--Leigh Hunt.

Adams, Parson Abraham: a learned, sweet-natured country clergyman, noted for his unworldliness [Fielding, Joseph Andrews].