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Definition of pauper - 4 dictionary results

pau⋅per

  [paw-per]
Use pauper in a Sentence
–noun
1. a person without any means of support, esp. a destitute person who depends on aid from public welfare funds or charity.
2. a very poor person.
Origin:
1485–95; < L: poor

Related forms:
pau⋅per⋅age, pau⋅per⋅dom, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pauper
pau·per   (pô'pər)   
n.  

  1. One who is extremely poor.

  2. One living on or eligible for public charity.


[From Latin, poor; see pau-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

pauper 
1516, "person destitute of property or means of livelihood," from L. pauper "poor," from pre-L. *pavo-pars "getting little," from pau-, root of paucus "little" + parere "get, produce" (see pare). Originally in Eng. a legal word, from L. phrase in forma pauperis (1495) "in the character of a poor person."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: pau·per
Pronunciation: 'po-p&r
Function: noun
: a person who is destitute and relying on charity; specifically : a person who is relieved of the costs and expenses of a court proceeding because of poverty
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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