- pov|er|ty
- pov|er|ty «POV uhr tee», noun.1. the condition of being poor: »
Being out of work usually causes poverty.
2. lack of what is needed; poor quality: »The poverty of the soil makes the crops small.
SYNONYM(S): deficiency.╂[< Old French pouerte < Latin paupertās < pauper poor]Synonym Study 1 Poverty, want, destitution mean the condition of being poor. Poverty emphasizes, more strongly than poorness does, owning nothing at all or having not enough for all the necessities of life: »Their tattered clothing and broken furniture indicated their poverty.
Want emphasizes extreme need, having too little to live on: »Welfare agencies help those in want.
Destitution emphasizes complete lack even of food and shelter, and often suggests having been deprived of possessions once had: »The Red Cross relieved the destitution following the floods.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.