Beggar
['begə] or ['bɛɡɚ]
Definition
(noun.) a pauper who lives by begging.
(verb.) reduce to beggary.
(verb.) be beyond the resources of; 'This beggars description!'.
Editor: Manuel--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) One who begs; one who asks or entreats earnestly, or with humility; a petitioner.
(n.) One who makes it his business to ask alms.
(n.) One who is dependent upon others for support; -- a contemptuous or sarcastic use.
(n.) One who assumes in argument what he does not prove.
(v. t.) To reduce to beggary; to impoverish; as, he had beggared himself.
(v. t.) To cause to seem very poor and inadequate.
Edited by Leah
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Mendicant, pauper, starveling, poor or indigent person.
v. a. [1]. Impoverish, ruin, render poor, reduce to poverty, bring to want.[2]. Surpass, exceed, go beyond, be above, put at fault, show to be inadequate.
Checked by Dora
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Mendicant, petitioner, suitor, suppliant, applicant
ANT:Exactor, extortioner
Inputed by Frieda
Unserious Contents or Definition
To see an old, decrepit beggar, is a sign of bad management, and unless you are economical, you will lose much property. Scandalous reports will prove detrimental to your fame. To give to a beggar, denotes dissatisfaction with present surroundings. To dream that you refuse to give to a beggar is altogether bad.
Checker: Marge
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. One who has relied on the assistance of his friends.
Edited by Karl
Examples
- Before the invention of the art of printing, a scholar and a beggar seem to have been terms very nearly synonymous. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- His own father therefore, disowns him for ever and ever, as a unnat'ral young beggar. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Nothing but beggar my neighbor, miss. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- There shall be no beggar-marriages in my family. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- A beggar, by Jove, and all in consequence of my d--d sentimentality. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I must say, I like to serve a decayed gentleman better than a blarnerying beggar. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Ah, a beggar has to have exceedingly good points to make a living in Constantinople. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Less given to detail are the beggars who make sporting ventures. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- In the name of Saint Bennet, the prince of these bull-beggars, said Front-de-Boeuf, have we a real monk this time, or another impostor? Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- There are the beggars of punctual business-habits too. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Out-and-out beggars get taken care of, but poor gentle folks fare badly, because they won't ask, and people don't dare to offer charity. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- There are some beggars that you put on horseback, and they're the first to ride you down. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- But there are, besides, the individual beggars; and how does the heart of the Secretary fail him when he has to cope with THEM! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- A howling swarm of beggars followed us--surrounded us --almost headed us off. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- By such maxims as these, however, nations have been taught that their interest consisted in beggaring all their neighbours. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- I played the game to an end with Estella, and she beggared me. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- The few of his followers who have returned have straggled hither like this Wilfred of Ivanhoe, beggared and broken men. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Editor: Nettie