impoverish

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English impoverishen, empoverishen, from Old French empoverir, from em- + povre, from Latin pauper (poor) (English poor).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ɪmˈpɒv(ə)rɪʃ/
  • (file)

Verb[edit]

impoverish (third-person singular simple present impoverishes, present participle impoverishing, simple past and past participle impoverished)

  1. (transitive) To make poor.
  2. (transitive) To weaken in quality; to deprive of some strength or richness.
    That exuberant crop quickly impoverishes any fertile soil.
  3. (intransitive) To become poor.

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