Category:Poor

Poor, a. [compar. Poorer (254); superl. Poorest.] Etym: [oe. poure Or povre, of. povre, f. pauvre, l. pauper; the first syllable of Which is probably akin to paucus few (see paucity, few), and the Second to parare to prepare, procure. See few, and cf. Parade, Pauper, poverty.]

1. Destitute of property; wanting in material riches or goods; needy; Indigent.

Note: it is often synonymous with indigent and with necessitous Denoting extreme want. It is also applied to persons who are not Entirely destitute of property, but who are not rich; as, a poor man Or woman; poor people.

2. (law)

Defn: so completely destitute of property as to be entitled to Maintenance from the public.

3. Hence, in very various applications:

Defn: destitute of such qualities as are desirable, or might Naturally be expected; as: (a) wanting in fat, plumpness, or fleshiness; lean; emaciated; Meager; as, a poor horse, ox, dog, etc. "seven other kine came up After them, poor and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed." Gen. xli. 19. (b) wanting in strength or vigor; feeble; dejected; as, poor health; Poor spirits. "his genius . . . poor and cowardly." Bacon. (c) of little value or worth; not good; inferior; shabby; mean; as, Poor clothes; poor lodgings. "a poor vessel." Clarendon. (d) destitute of fertility; exhausted; barren; sterile; -- said of Land; as, poor soil. (e) destitute of beauty, fitness, or merit; as, a poor discourse; a Poor picture. (f) without prosperous conditions or good results; unfavorable; Unfortunate; unconformable; as, a poor business; the sick man had a Poor night. (g) inadequate; insufficient; insignificant; as, a poor excuse. That i have wronged no man will be a poor plea or apology at the last Day. Calamy.

4. 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. Shak. Poor, little, pretty, fluttering thing. Prior.

5. Free from self-assertion; not proud or arrogant; meek. "blessed Are the poor in spirit." Matt. v. 3. Poor law, a law providing for, Or regulating, the relief or support of the poor. -- poor man's treacle (bot.), garlic; -- so called because it was Thought to be an antidote to animal poison. [eng] dr. Prior. -- poor man's weatherglass (bot.), the red-flowered pimpernel (anagallis arvensis), which opens its blossoms only in fair weather. -- poor rate, an assessment or tax, as in an english parish, for the Relief or support of the poor. -- poor soldier (zoöl.), the friar bird. -- the poor, those who are destitute of property; the indigent; the Needy. In a legal sense, those who depend on charity or maintenance By the public. "i have observed the more public provisions are made For the poor, the less they provide for themselves." Franklin.

Poor Poor, n. (zoöl.)

Defn: a small european codfish (gadus minutus); -- called also power Cod.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Poor - The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important. (1.) They had the right of gleaning the fields (Leviticus 19:9, Leviticus 19:10; Deuteronomy 24:19, Deuteronomy 24:21). (2.) In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields and the vineyards (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 25:6). (3.) In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Leviticus 25:25). (4.) Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went down (Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 24:10). The rich were to be generous to the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7). (5.) In the sabbatical and jubilee years the bond-servant was to go free (Deuteronomy 15:12; Leviticus 25:39, Leviticus 25:47). (6.) Certain portions from the tithes were assigned to the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28, Deuteronomy 14:29; Deuteronomy 26:12, Deuteronomy 26:13). (7.) They shared in the feasts (Deuteronomy 16:11, Deuteronomy 16:14; Nehemiah 8:10). (8.) Wages were to be paid at the close of each day (Leviticus 19:13). In the New Testament (Luke 3:11; Luke 14:13; Acts 6:1; Galatians 2:10; James 2:15, James 2:16) we have similar injunctions given with reference to the poor. Begging was not common under the Old Testament, while it was so in the New Testament times (Luke 16:20, Luke 16:21, etc.). But begging in the case of those who are able to work is forbidden, and all such are enjoined to "work with their own hands" as a Christian duty (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; Ephesians 4:28). This word is used figuratively in Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:20; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Revelation 3:17.