poor relation

poor relation
noun
Etymology: poor (I)
: one that is regarded as holding a subordinate or inferior position

modern dance … is the poor relation among the theater arts — E.R.Bentley

the humanities have become poor relations — Report: (Canadian) Royal Commission on National Development

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poor relation noun
Any person or thing similar but inferior or subordinate to another
• • •
Main Entry: ↑poor

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poor relation phrase
a person, organization, or country that is considered to be less successful or important than another

The blood donor service complains that it has always been treated as a poor relation within the Health Service.

Thesaurus: unimportant person or peoplesynonym
Main entry: poor

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poor relation,
1. a relative in humble circumstances: »

A Poor Relation…is a preposterous shadow, lengthening in the noontide of your prosperity (Charles Lamb).

2. a person or thing of inferior circumstances, secondary importance, or otherwise the lesser in comparison to: »

Until a short time ago sculpture in Canada was a poor relation, [for] sculptors found little sponsorship and a small market (Atlantic).

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a person or thing that is considered inferior or subordinate to others of the same type or group

for many years radio has been the poor relation of the media

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ˌpoor reˈlation [poor relation] noun
something that is not treated with as much respect as other similar things because it is not thought to be as good, important or successful

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The short story is often considered to be a poor relation to the novel.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • poor relation — poor relations N COUNT: usu N of n If you describe one thing as a poor relation of another, you mean that it is similar to or part of the other thing, but is considered to be inferior to it. Watercolour still seems somehow to be the poor relation …   English dictionary

  • poor relation — ► poor relation a person or thing that is considered inferior to others of the same type. Main Entry: ↑poor …   English terms dictionary

  • poor relation — a person, organization, or country that is considered to be less successful or important than another The blood donor service complains that it has always been treated as a poor relation within the Health Service …   English dictionary

  • poor relation — /pɔ rəˈleɪʃən/ (say paw ruh layshuhn) noun something or somebody considered inferior to another in the same broad field or class: *But Sally was quite ready to have a sundae although she made her living in part by dispensing that poor relation of …  

  • poor relation — a person or thing that is considered inferior to others of the same type or group. → poor …   English new terms dictionary

  • (a) poor relation — someone or something that is believed to be less important than another similar person or thing. Video, once seen as the poor relation of cinema, is now a major source of revenue for film companies …   New idioms dictionary

  • poor — W1S1 [po: US pur] adj comparative poorer superlative poorest ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(no money)¦ 2¦(not good)¦ 3¦(sympathy)¦ 4¦(not good at something)¦ 5¦(health)¦ 6 poor in something 7 a poor second/third etc …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • poor — [ pur ] adjective *** ▸ 1 lacking money ▸ 2 of low quality ▸ 3 not good enough ▸ 4 not skillful ▸ 5 lacking something important ▸ 6 less than expected ▸ 7 feeling sorry for someone ▸ + PHRASES 1. ) having little money and few possessions: a poor… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • poor — ► ADJECTIVE 1) lacking sufficient money to live at a comfortable or normal standard. 2) of a low or inferior standard or quality. 3) (poor in) lacking in. 4) deserving pity or sympathy. ● the poor man s Cf. ↑the poor man s …   English terms dictionary

  • relation — relation, relationship, relatives As nouns, relation and relative both mean ‘a person related by blood or by marriage’, and both are idiomatic in the plural. For some reason, however, relation is the normal choice in the explicit context of… …   Modern English usage

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