PAUPER Meaning and
Definition
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The term "pauper" refers to an individual who is extremely poor and lacks the means to support themselves financially. It is commonly used to describe a person who is dependent on charity or public assistance for essential needs such as food, shelter, and clothing.
In a broader sense, a pauper is someone who resides at the lowest end of the socio-economic hierarchy, living in a state of destitution. Pauperism often entails a lack of access to basic resources and limited prospects for escaping poverty.
The concept of pauperism has historical roots, particularly in feudal societies, where individuals who were unable to sustain themselves were often dependent on the goodwill of nobles or the church. In more contemporary contexts, pauperism often reflects systemic issues such as economic inequality, unemployment, or inadequate social welfare systems.
The term "pauper" can also be used metaphorically to describe an individual who is bereft of a specific attribute or quality. For example, someone may be deemed intellectually impoverished and referred to as a "pauper of knowledge."
Overall, "pauper" is a term that denotes extreme poverty, often highlighting the dire socioeconomic circumstances of individuals who struggle to meet their most basic needs.
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A poor person; one supported or assisted by his parish.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PAUPER
Etymology of PAUPER
The word "pauper" is derived from the Latin word "pauper", which means "poor". It is influenced by the medieval Latin term "pauper, pauperis", which was used to describe a beggar or a person of low social status. Over time, it entered Old French as "povre" and eventually evolved into the Middle English word "povere", with the same meaning. Through various linguistic changes and borrowings, it became "pauper" in modern English, maintaining its association with poverty.
Similar spelling words for PAUPER
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