mengemis

Indonesian

Etymology

From Javanese ngemis, from Kemis, from Arabic الخَمِيس (al-ḵamīs). Related to Kamis (“Thursday”), as begging was purportedly done on Thursdays.

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: me‧nge‧mis

Verb

mengemis

1. to seek alms or charity, to beg
2. (figurative) to implore, begging by lowering oneself and with full expectation.

Further reading

• “mengemis” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Jakarta: Agency for Language Development and Cultivation – Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, 2016.