Pauperism
/ˈpɔː.pə.rɪ.zəm/noun
The state or condition of being very poor, especially widespread poverty in a society.
Did you know?Pauperism is built on Latin pauper, traditionally explained as “poor” from a root meaning “few” or “scanty,” so the word carries the old idea of having almost nothing at all.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peh₂u-
“Few, small in number, scanty.”
Latin
Latin
pauper
“Poor; having little wealth or means.”
Late Latin
Latin
pauperismus
“Poverty; the condition of being poor.”
19th Century
English
pauperism
“The condition of being a pauper; widespread poverty, especially among the poor.”
Modern English
English
pauperism
“The state of widespread or persistent poverty.”