E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Dombey (Florence).
A motherless child, hungering and thirsting to be loved, but regarded with frigid indifference by her father, who thinks that sons alone are worthy of his regard. (Dickens: Dombey and Son.)
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Mr. Dombey. A self-sufficient, purse-proud, frigid merchant, who feels satisfied there is but one Dombey in the world, and that is himself. (Dickens: Dombey and Son.)
