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Definition of pauper

pauper

/ˈpɔː.pər/
pau · per
Plural:paupers
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pauper Lexical Profile

pauper Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A very poor or destitute person, historically one who lived on charity or public relief.

Example

"The once-wealthy industrialist lost his entire fortune in the market crash and died a pauper."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for pauper

• Nearby Words

paul
paunch
paunchy
pauper
pauraque
pause
pave

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 15th century from Latin 'pauper' ('poor'), specifically from the legal phrase 'in forma pauperis' ('in the character of a poor person'), which exempted destitute individuals from paying court costs. The Latin word is a compound of roots meaning 'few, little' and 'to produce'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pauper. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pauper
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