Poor
Pronunciation
Origin
From Middle English povre, povere, from Old French (and Anglo-Norman) povre, poure (Modern French pauvre), from Latin pauper, from Old Latin *pavo-pars ("getting little"), from Proto-Indo-European *phâ‚w- ("smallness"). Cognate with Old English fÄ“awa ("little, few"). Displaced native Middle English earm, arm ("poor") (from Old English earm; See arm), Middle English wantsum, wantsome ("poor, needy") (from Old Norse vant ("deficiency, lack, want"), Middle English unlede ("poor") (from Old English unlÇ£de, Middle English unweli, unwely ("poor, unwealthy") (from Old English un- + weliÄ¡ ("well-to-do, prosperous, rich").
Full definition of poor
Adjective
poor
- With little or no possessions or money.We were so poor that we couldn't afford shoes.
- Of low quality.
- 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 10, He looked round the poor room, at the distempered walls, and the bad engravings in meretricious frames, the crinkly paper and wax flowers on the chiffonier; and he thought of a room like Father Bryan's, with panelling, with cut glass, with tulips in silver pots, such a room as he had hoped to have for his own.
- That was a poor performance.
- To be pitied.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 15, Mr. Campion sighed. ‘Poor man,’ he said. ‘He sees his great sacrifices rejected by the gods, and so, no doubt, all the Misses Eumenides let loose again to plague him.’
- Oh you poor little thing.
- Deficient in a specified way.Cow's milk is poor in iron.
- Inadequate, insufficient.I received a poor reward for all my hard work.
- CalamyThat I have wronged no man will be a poor plea or apology at the last day.
- Free from self-assertion; not proud or arrogant; meek.
- Bible, Matthew v. 3Blessed are the poor in spirit.
Synonyms
- (little or no possessions) impoverished, wealthless, arm
- (of low quality) inferior
- (to be pitied) pitiable, arm
Antonyms
Derived terms
Noun
poor
(plural only)- with "the" Those who have little or no possessions or money, taken as a group.The poor are always with us.