:10
:09
:08
:07
:06
:05
:04
:03
:02
:01
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| welfare state | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a system in which the government undertakes the chief responsibility for providing for the social and economic security of its population, usually through unemployment insurance, old-age pensions, and other social-security measures |
| 2. | a social system characterized by such policies |
A state or government that promotes public welfare through programs of public health, pensions, unemployment compensation, public housing, and the like. The expression welfare state is often used by those hostile to government intervention in these areas.
An economic system that combines features of capitalism and socialism by retaining private ownership while the government enacts broad programs of social welfare, such as pensions and public housing.