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."
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
[paw-per] 
