Poor - Populin

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Poor (?), a. [Compar. Poorer (?; 254); superl. Poorest.] [OE. poure or povre, OF. povre, F. pauvre, L. pauper; the first syllable of which is probably akin to paucus few (see , ), and the second to parare to prepare, procure. See , and cf. , , .] 1. Destitute of property; wanting in material riches or goods; needy; indigent.
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☞ It is often synonymous with indigent and with necessitous denoting extreme want. It is also applied to persons who are not entirely destitute of property, but who are not rich; as, a poor man or woman; poor people.
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2. (Law) So completely destitute of property as to be entitled to maintenance from the public.
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3. Hence, in very various applications: Destitute of such qualities as are desirable, or might naturally be expected; as: (a) Wanting in fat, plumpness, or fleshiness; lean; emaciated; meager; as, a poor horse, ox, dog, etc. “Seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favored and lean-fleshed.” Gen. xli. 19. (b) Wanting in strength or vigor; feeble; dejected; as, poor health; poor spirits. “His genius . . . poor and cowardly.” Bacon. (c) Of little value or worth; not good; inferior; shabby; mean; as, poor clothes; poor lodgings. “A poor vessel.” Clarendon. (d) Destitute of fertility; exhausted; barren; sterile; -- said of land; as, poor soil. (e) Destitute of beauty, fitness, or merit; as, a poor discourse; a poor picture. (f) Without prosperous conditions or good results; unfavorable; unfortunate; unconformable; as, a poor business; the sick man had a poor night. (g) Inadequate; insufficient; insignificant; as, a poor excuse.
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That I have wronged no man will be a poor plea or apology at the last day. Calamy.
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4. Worthy of pity or sympathy; -- used also sometimes as a term of endearment, or as an expression of modesty, and sometimes as a word of contempt.
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And for mine own poor part,
Look you, I'll go pray. Shak.
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Poor, little, pretty, fluttering thing. Prior.
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5. Free from self-assertion; not proud or arrogant; meek. “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Matt. v. 3.
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Coloq. Poor law , a law providing for, or regulating, the relief or support of the poor. -- Coloq. Poor man's treacle (Bot.), garlic; -- so called because it was thought to be an antidote to animal poison. [Eng] Dr. Prior. -- Coloq. Poor man's weatherglass (Bot.), the red-flowered pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), which opens its blossoms only in fair weather. -- Coloq. Poor rate , an assessment or tax, as in an English parish, for the relief or support of the poor. -- Coloq. Poor soldier (Zoöl.), the friar bird. -- Coloq. The poor , those who are destitute of property; the indigent; the needy. In a legal sense, those who depend on charity or maintenance by the public. “I have observed the more public provisions are made for the poor, the less they provide for themselves.” Franklin.
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Poor (?), n. (Zoöl.) A small European codfish (Gadus minutus); -- called also power cod.
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Poorbox (?), n. A receptacle in which money given for the poor is placed.
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Poorhouse (?), n. A dwelling for a number of paupers maintained at public expense; an almshouse; a workhouse.
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Poor-john (?), n. (Zoöl.) A small European fish, similar to the cod, but of inferior quality.
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Poor-john and apple pies are all our fare. Sir J. Harrington.
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Poorliness (?), n. The quality or state of being poorly; ill health.
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Poorly, adv. 1. In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or sufficiency, or suitable provision for comfort; as, to live poorly.
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2. With little or no success; indifferently; with little profit or advantage; as, to do poorly in business.
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3. Meanly; without spirit.
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Nor is their courage or their wealth so low,
That from his wars they poorly would retire. Dryden.
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4. Without skill or merit; as, he performs poorly.
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Coloq. Poorly off , not well off; not rich.
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Poorly, a. Somewhat ill; indisposed; not in health. “Having been poorly in health.” T. Scott.
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Poorness, n. The quality or state of being poor (in any of the senses of the adjective). Bacon.
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Poor-spirited (?), a. Of a mean spirit; cowardly; base. -- Poor-spiritedness, n.
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Poor-will (?), n. [So called in imitation of its note.] (Zoöl.) A bird of the Western United States (Phalænoptilus Nutalli) allied to the whip-poor-will.
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Poor-willie (?), n. [So called in imitation of its note.] (Zoöl.) The bar-tailed godwit. [Prov. Eng.]
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Pop (?), n. [Of imitative origin. Cf. .] 1. A small, sharp, quick explosive sound or report; as, to go off with a pop. Addison.
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2. A nonalcoholic carbonated beverage; -- so called because it expels the cork with a pop from the bottle containing it; as, ginger pop; lemon pop, etc. Hood.
Syn. -- soda, soda pop, minerals.
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3. (Zoöl.) The European redwing. [Prov. Eng.]
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Coloq. Pop corn . (a) Corn, or maize, of peculiar excellence for popping; especially, a kind the grains of which are small and compact. (b) Popped corn; corn which has been popped.
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Pop, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Popped (pŏpt); p. pr. & vb. n. Popping.] 1. To make a pop, or sharp, quick sound; as, the muskets popped away on all sides.
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2. To enter, or issue forth, with a quick, sudden movement; to move from place to place suddenly; to dart; -- with in, out, upon, off, etc.
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He that killed my king . . .
Popp'd in between the election and my hopes. Shak.
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A trick of popping up and down every moment. Swift.
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3. To burst open with a pop, when heated over a fire; as, this corn pops well.
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Pop, v. t. 1. To thrust or push suddenly; to offer suddenly; to bring suddenly and unexpectedly to notice; as, to pop one's head in at the door.
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He popped a paper into his hand. Milton.
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2. To cause to pop; to cause to burst open by heat, as grains of Indian corn; as, to pop corn or chestnuts.
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3. To eat or swallow; -- of food, especially snacks, in small pieces; as, he popped a whole can of peanuts while watching the movie.
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Coloq. To pop off , (a) to thrust away, or put off promptly; as, to pop one off with a denial. Locke. (b) to make a statement, or series of statements, forcefully and in an opinionated manner; as, he popped off about his dislike of modern art. -- Coloq. To pop the question , to make an offer of marriage to a lady. [Colloq.] Dickens.
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Pop (pŏp), adv. Like a pop; suddenly; unexpectedly. “Pop goes his plate.” Beau. & Fl.
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popcorn, pop corn, n. See pop corn under , n..
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Pope (pōp), n. [AS. pāpa, L. papa father, bishop. Cf. , .] 1. Any ecclesiastic, esp. a bishop. [Obs.] Foxe.
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2. The bishop of Rome, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. See under .
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3. A parish priest, or a chaplain, of the Greek Church.
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4. (Zoöl.) A fish; the ruff.
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Coloq. Pope Joan , a game at cards played on a round board with compartments. -- Coloq. Pope's eye , the gland surrounded with fat in the middle of the thigh of an ox or sheep. R. D. Blackmore. -- Coloq. Pope's nose , the rump, or uropygium, of a bird. See . -- Coloq. to be more Catholic than the Pope to adhere more stringently to Roman Catholic practices and doctrine than is required by church doctrine; -- usually used in a negative sense to mean, to be excessively pious.
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Popedom (?), n. [AS. pāpedōm.] 1. The place, office, or dignity of the pope; papal dignity. Shak.
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2. The jurisdiction of the pope.
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Popeling (?), n. 1. A petty or deputy pope.
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2. An adherent of the pope. [R.] Marlowe.
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Popelote (?), n. A word variously explained as “a little puppet,” “a little doll,” or “a young butterfly.” Cf. . [Obs.]
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So gay a popelote, so sweet a wench. Chaucer.
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Popery (?), n. The religion of the Roman Catholic Church, comprehending doctrines and practices; -- generally used in an opprobrious sense.
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Pope's head (?). A long-handled brush for dusting ceilings, etc., also for washing windows. [Cant]
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Popet (?), n. A puppet. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Popgun (?), n. A child's gun; a tube and rammer for shooting pellets, with a popping noise, by compression of air.
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Popinjay (?), n. [OE. popingay, papejay, OF. papegai, papegaut; cf. Pr. papagai, Sp. & Pg. papagayo, It. pappagallo, LGr. �, NGr. �; in which the first syllables are perhaps imitative of the bird's chatter, and the last either fr. L. gallus cock, or the same word as E. jay, F. geai. Cf. .]
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1. (Zoöl.) (a) The green woodpecker. (b) A parrot.
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The pye and popyngay speak they know not what. Tyndale.
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2. A target in the form of a parrot. [Scot.]
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3. A trifling, chattering, fop or coxcomb. “To be so pestered with a popinjay.” Shak.
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Popish (?), a. Of or pertaining to the pope; taught or ordained by the pope; hence, of or pertaining to the Roman Catholic Church; -- often used opprobriously. -- Popishly, adv. -- Popishness, n.
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Poplar (?), n. [OE. popler, OF. poplier, F. peuplier, fr. L. populus poplar.] (Bot.) 1. Any tree of the genus Populus; also, the timber, which is soft, and capable of many uses.
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☞ The aspen poplar is Populus tremula and Populus tremuloides; Balsam poplar is Populus balsamifera; Lombardy poplar (Populus dilatata) is a tall, spiry tree; white poplar is Populus alba.
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2. The timber of the tulip tree; -- called also white poplar. [U.S.]
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Poplexy (?), n. Apoplexy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Poplin (?), n. [F. popeline, papeline.] A fabric of many varieties, usually made of silk and worsted, -- used especially for women's dresses.
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Coloq. Irish poplin , a fabric with silk warp and worsted weft, made in Ireland.
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Popliteal (?; 277), a. [From L. poples, -itis, the ham.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the ham; in the region of the ham, or behind the knee joint; as, the popliteal space.
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Poplitic (?), a. (Anat.) Popliteal.
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Popovtsy (?), n. pl. [Russ., prop., those having popes or priests.] See .
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Popper (?), n. A utensil for popping corn, usually a wire basket with a long handle.
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Popper, n. A dagger. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Poppet (?), n. 1. See .
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2. (Naut.) One of certain upright timbers on the bilge ways, used to support a vessel in launching. Totten.
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3. (Mach.) An upright support or guide fastened at the bottom only.
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4. same as .
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Coloq. Poppet head , Coloq. Puppet head . See (a).
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Poppied (?), a. [See 1st .] 1. Mingled or interspersed with poppies. “Poppied corn.” Keats.
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2. Affected with poppy juice; hence, figuratively, drugged; drowsy; listless; inactive. [R.]
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The poppied sails doze on the yard. Lowell.
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Popping (?), a. & n. from .
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Coloq. Popping crease . (Cricket) See under .
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Poppit (?), n. a small plastic bead with opposed holes and protuberant knobs, so shaped that the beads may be fastened to each other in chains and detached easily, and can be used to form variable-length chains for use as necklaces, bracelets, or other ornamental objects. Also called poppet and poppit bead.
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Popple (?), v. i. [Cf. .] To move quickly up and down; to bob up and down, as a cork on rough water; also, to bubble. Cotton.
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Popple, n. 1. The poplar. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U. S.]
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2. Tares. [Obs.] “To sow popple among wheat.” Bale.
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Poppy (?), n.; pl. Poppies (#). [OE. popy, AS. popig, L. papaver.] (Bot.) Any plant or species of the genus Papaver, herbs with showy polypetalous flowers and a milky juice. From one species (Papaver somniferum) opium is obtained, though all the species contain it to some extent; also, a flower of the plant. See Illust. of .
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Coloq. California poppy (Bot.), any yellow-flowered plant of the genus Eschscholtzia. -- Coloq. Corn poppy . See under . -- Coloq. Horn poppy , or Coloq. Horned poppy . See under . -- Coloq. Poppy bee (Zoöl.), a leaf-cutting bee (Anthocopa papaveris) which uses pieces cut from poppy petals for the lining of its cells; -- called also upholsterer bee. -- Coloq. Prickly poppy (Bot.), Argemone Mexicana, a yellow-flowered plant of the Poppy family, but as prickly as a thistle. -- Coloq. Poppy seed , the seed the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). -- Coloq. Spatling poppy (Bot.), a species of Silene (Silene inflata). See .
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{ Poppy (?), Poppyhead (?), } n. [F. poupée doll, puppet. See .] (Arch.) A raised ornament frequently having the form of a final. It is generally used on the tops of the upright ends or elbows which terminate seats, etc., in Gothic churches.
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Populace (?), n. [F. populace, fr. It. popolaccio, popolazzo, fr. popolo people, L. populus. See .] The common people; the vulgar; the multitude, -- comprehending all persons not distinguished by rank, office, education, or profession. Pope.
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To . . . calm the peers and please the populace. Daniel.
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They . . . call us Britain's barbarous populaces. Tennyson.
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Syn. -- Mob; people; commonalty.
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Populacy (?), n. Populace. [Obs.] Feltham.
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Popular (?), a. [L. popularis, fr. populus people: cf. F. populaire. See .] 1. Of or pertaining to the common people, or to the whole body of the people, as distinguished from a select portion; as, the popular voice; popular elections. “Popular states.” Bacon. “So the popular vote inclines.” Milton.
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The men commonly held in popular estimation are greatest at a distance. J. H. Newman.
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2. Suitable to common people; easy to be comprehended; not abstruse; familiar; plain.
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Homilies are plain popular instructions. Hooker.
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3. Adapted to the means of the common people; possessed or obtainable by the many; hence, cheap; common; ordinary; inferior; as, popular prices; popular amusements.
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The smallest figs, called popular figs, . . . are, of all others, the basest and of least account. Holland.
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4. Beloved or approved by the people; pleasing to people in general, or to many people; as, a popular preacher; a popular law; a popular administration.
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5. Devoted to the common people; studious of the favor of the populace. [R.]
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Such popular humanity is treason. Addison.
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6. Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular disease. [Obs.] Johnson.
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Coloq. Popular action (Law), an action in which any person may sue for penalty imposed by statute. Blackstone.
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Populares (?), n. pl. [L.] The people or the people's party, in ancient Rome, as opposed to the optimates.
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Popularity (?), n.; pl. Popularities (#). [L. popularitas an effort to please the people: cf. F. popularité.] 1. The quality or state of being popular; especially, the state of being esteemed by, or of being in favor with, the people at large; good will or favor proceeding from the people; as, the popularity of a law, statesman, or a book.
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A popularity which has lasted down to our time. Macaulay.
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2. The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to common, poor, or vulgar people; hence, cheapness; inferiority; vulgarity.
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This gallant laboring to avoid popularity falls into a habit of affectation. B. Jonson.
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3. Something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the favor of the vulgar; claptrap.
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Popularities, and circumstances which . . . sway the ordinary judgment. Bacon.
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4. The act of courting the favor of the people. [Obs.] “Indicted . . . for popularity and ambition.” Holland.
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5. Public sentiment; general passion. [R.]
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A little time be allowed for the madness of popularity to cease. Bancroft.
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Popularization (?), n. The act of making popular, or of introducing among the people.
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Popularize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Popularized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Popularizing (?).] [Cf. F. populariser.] To make popular; to make suitable or acceptable to the common people; to make generally known; as, to popularize philosophy. “The popularizing of religious teaching.” Milman.
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Popularizer (?), n. One who popularizes.
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Popularly, adv. In a popular manner; so as to be generally favored or accepted by the people; commonly; currently; as, the story was popularity reported.
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The victor knight,
Bareheaded, popularly low had bowed. Dryden.
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Popularness, n. The quality or state of being popular; popularity. Coleridge.
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Populate (?), a. [L. populus people. See .] Populous. [Obs.] Bacon.
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Populate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Populated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Populating.] To furnish with inhabitants, either by natural increase or by immigration or colonization; to cause to be inhabited; to people.
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Populate, v. i. To propagate. [Obs.]
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Great shoals of people which go on to populate. Bacon.
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Population (?), n. [L. populatio: cf. F. population.] 1. The act or process of populating; multiplication of inhabitants.
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2. The whole number of people, or inhabitants, in a country, or portion of a country; as, a population of ten millions.
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Populator (?), n. One who populates.
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Populicide (?), n. [L. populus people + caedere to kill.] Slaughter of the people. [R.]
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Populin (?), n. [L. populus poplar: cf. F. populine.] (Chem.) A glycoside, related to salicin, found in the bark of certain species of the poplar (Populus), and extracted as a sweet white crystalline substance.
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