poor

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Wikipedia

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.2.1 Homophones 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Synonyms 1.3.3 Antonyms 1.3.4 Related terms 1.3.5 Translations 1.4 Anagrams

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Middle English povre, povere from Old French povre, poure (Modern French: pauvre), from Latin pauper from Old Latin *pavo-pars "getting little" from Proto-Indo-European *pau- (“‘smallness’”). Displaced native Middle English earm, arm "poor" (from Old English earm "poor"), Middle English wantsum, wantsome "poor, needy" (from Old Norse vant "deficiency, lack, want"), Middle English unlede "poor" (from Old English unlǣde), Middle English unweli, unwely "poor, unwealthy" (from Old English un- + weliġ "well-to-do, prosperous, rich").

[edit] Pronunciation

• (Australia) IPA: /pɔə/
• (RP)
  • IPA: /pʊə/, SAMPA: /pU@/^[1]
  •  Audio (UK)^{help, file}
• (Southern UK)
  • IPA: /pɔː(ɹ)/, SAMPA: /pO:(r)/
• (US)
  • IPA: /pʊr/, /pɔr/, SAMPA: /pUr/, /pOr/
  •  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ʊə(r), Rhymes: -ɔː(r)

[edit] Homophones

• pour (some accents only)
• pore (some accents only)
• paw (some accents only)

[edit] Adjective

poor (comparative poorer, superlative poorest)

1. With little or no possessions or money.

   We were so poor that we couldn't afford shoes.

2. To be pitied.

   Oh you poor little thing.

3. Of low quality.

   That was a poor performance.

4. Of inadequate amount.

   I received a poor reward for all my hard work.

5. Deficient in a specified way.

   Cow's milk is poor in iron.

6. (with "the") Those people as a group who have little or no possessions or money. (see usage notes)

   The poor are always with us.

[edit] Usage notes

• When used with "the", always takes the plural verb.

[edit] Synonyms

• pitiable (2)
• inferior (3)
• See also Wikisaurus:impoverished
• See also Wikisaurus:unhappy

[edit] Antonyms

• rich

[edit] Related terms

• a poor man's ...
• dirt poor
• piss-poor
• poor as a church mouse
• poor box
• poor relation

[edit] Translations

• Notes:

1. ^ Oxford BBC Guide to Pronunciation, Lena Olausson and Catherine Sangster, Oxford University Press, page xvi. Also given as the R.P. form in Get Rid of Your Accent, Linda James and Olga Smith, and English Accents, Arthur Hughes and Peter Trudgill

[edit] Anagrams

• Alphagram: oopr
• roop