beggar

nounperson asking for charity
nounperson in financial trouble

Synonyms for beggar

noun person asking for charity

Word Origin & History

c.1200, from Old French begart, originally a member of the Beghards, lay brothers of mendicants in the Low Countries, from Middle Dutch beggaert "mendicant," of uncertain origin, with pejorative suffix (see -ard). Cf. Beguine. Early folk etymology connected the English word with bag. Form with -ar attested from 14c., but begger was more usual 15c.-17c. The feminine form beggestere is attested as a surname from c.1300. Beggar's velvet was an old name for "dust bunnies." "Beggers should be no choosers" is in Heywood (1562).

Example Sentences for beggar

In reply he offers me, as if I were a beggar, employment for my sons.

I can only attribute it to the love interest associated with the beggar.

And is not the whole land like a beggar on horseback riding post to the Davil?

Though I thank you heartily all the same; it would be a shame at my age to be a beggar.

Must a man be a beggar because he is run over, or because he is half blind?

By degrees, most of the food on the table was in the beggar's bag.

And now we will see what befell Robin Hood in his venture as beggar.

"Friend, thou hast said enough," said the Beggar, getting down from the stile.

"Why, mayhap there is some other cold fare therein," said the Beggar slyly.

That I flatly refused to do, for it would have made a beggar of me.

beggar

Synonyms for beggar

down-and-outer

have-not

hobo

pauper

pauperize

beggar

Synonyms for beggar

More words related to beggar

derelict

down-and-outer

have-not

hobo

pauper

pauperize