Main Entry:

poor

Pronunciation:

\ˈpu̇r, ˈpȯr\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English poure, from Anglo-French povre, pore, from Latin pauper; akin to Latin paucus little and to Latin parere to give birth to, produce — more at few, pare

Date:

13th century

1 a: lacking material possessions b: of, relating to, or characterized by poverty2 a: less than adequate : meager b: small in worth3: exciting pity <you poor thing>4 a: inferior in quality or value b: humble, unpretentious c: mean, petty5: lean, emaciated6: barren, unproductive —used of land7: indifferent, unfavorable8: lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified —often used in combination <oil-poor countries>

— poor·ish \-ish\ adjective

— poor·ness noun