beggar

beg-gar · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person who lives by asking for money or food from others.

  2. 2.

    [British, informal]A person, especially a man or child (used affectionately or with pity).

  3. 3.

    Reduce to poverty; impoverish.

  4. 4.

    Make inadequate or useless.

Forms

plural: beggars

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    beggar belief/description — Be too extraordinary to be believed or described.
  • •
    beggars can't be choosers — People with no other options must accept what is offered.
  • •
    beggar thy neighbor — An economic policy benefiting oneself at others' expense.

Related words

See also: beg, beggars, poverty
Synonyms: mendicant, panhandler, vagrant

Etymology

From Middle English begger, from beggen ("to beg") + -er.