beggarly
English
editEtymology
editFrom beggar + -ly; adverb via Middle English beggarly, beggerly.
Adjective
editbeggarly (comparative beggarlier, superlative beggarliest)
- In the manner of a beggar; poverty-stricken; mean; poor; contemptible.
- beggarly fellow
- Fit for a beggar; occasioned by begging.
- beggarly rags
- 1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →OCLC:
- Beggarly sins, that is, those sins which idleness and beggary usually betray men to; such as lying, flattery, stealing, and dissimulation.
- (by extension) inadequate or meagre.
Synonyms
edit- See also Thesaurus:impoverished
Derived terms
editAdverb
editbeggarly (comparative more beggarly, superlative most beggarly)
- In an indigent, mean, or despicable manner; in the manner of a beggar.