1 the state of being poor; want of the necessities of life.
2 (often foll. by of, in) scarcity or lack.
3 inferiority, poorness, meanness.
4 Eccl. renunciation of the right to individual ownership of property.
Phrases and idioms:
poverty line the minimum income level needed to secure the necessities of life. poverty-stricken extremely poor. poverty trap a situation in which an increase of income incurs a loss of State benefits, making real improvement impossible.
Etymology: ME f. OF poverte, poverteacute f. L paupertas -tatis f. pauper poor
Useful english dictionary. 2012.