beggarly

English

Etymology

From beggar + -ly; adverb via Middle English beggarly, beggerly.

Adjective

beggarly (comparative beggarlier, superlative beggarliest)

  1. In the manner of a beggar; poverty-stricken; mean; poor; contemptible.
    beggarly fellow
  2. 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.
  3. (by extension) inadequate or meagre.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Adverb

beggarly (comparative more beggarly, superlative most beggarly)

  1. In an indigent, mean, or despicable manner; in the manner of a beggar.

Anagrams

This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.