subdict-logo

beggar

Definition

  • noun: a person who lives by begging for money, food, etc.
  • noun: one that begs
  • verb: to make (someone or something) very poor
  • verb: to reduce to 'beggary'
  • used in the phrases 'beggar belief' and 'beggar description' to talk about something that is very difficult to believe or describe
  • synonyms: petitioner, impoverish, pauper

Examples

  • It almost 'beggars belief' [=it is very hard to believe] that anyone can be so cruel.

  • I heard you won the contest! You lucky 'beggar'!

  • a plot so complex that it 'beggars description'

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) Kill them both. What is this place? Peter's home. It's six years since we left together. We'll find food and shelter here. No beggars! Tell the mistress Robin of Locksley's at her door. Her ladyship's not here. Is the child Marian in? Maybe she is, maybe she isn't. (..)
    1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves