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

  • (..) I did not know... the bank was being robbed because I was engaged in my sworn duty... as a police officer. You didn't even arrest the old beggar. There was some question as to whether the beggar or his "minkey" was breaking the law. - "Minkey"? - What? - You said "minkey." - That is correct, yes. Chimpanzee monkey. So I let them both off with a warning. The beggar was the lookout man for the gang. - That is impossible. - Why? He was blind. How can a blind man be a lookout? (..)
    1975 The Return of the Pink Panther