Poor
a.
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Destitute of property; wanting in material riches or goods; needy; indigent.
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So completely destitute of property as to be entitled to maintenance from the public. (Law)
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Destitute of such qualities as are desirable, or might naturally be expected
That I have wronged no man will be a poor plea or apology at the last day.
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Worthy of pity or sympathy; -- used also sometimes as a term of endearment, or as an expression of modesty, and sometimes as a word of contempt.
And for mine own poor part,
Look you, I'll go pray.
Poor, little, pretty, fluttering thing.
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Free from self-assertion; not proud or arrogant; meek.
Phrases & Compounds
- Poor law
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a law providing for, or regulating, the relief or support of the poor.
- Poor man's treacle
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garlic; -- so called because it was thought to be an antidote to animal poison.
- Poor man's weatherglass
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the red-flowered pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), which opens its blossoms only in fair weather.
- Poor rate
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an assessment or tax, as in an English parish, for the relief or support of the poor.
- Poor soldier
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the friar bird.
- The poor
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those who are destitute of property; the indigent; the needy. In a legal sense, those who depend on charity or maintenance by the public.
Poor
n.
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A small European codfish (Gadus minutus); -- called also power cod. (Zool.)