Definition

1. Noun:
   • The state of being a beggar; extreme poverty and destitution: "Beggary" refers to the condition of having to beg for money or food to survive.
   • The act of begging; a solicitation for alms: "Beggary" can also refer to the act itself of asking for charity, especially in a public place.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The economic collapse plunged many families into utter beggary. (The economic collapse caused many families to fall into a state of complete destitution where they had to beg.)
  • He was arrested for persistent beggary on the subway. (He was arrested for repeatedly asking for money on the subway.)

Advanced Usage

• "Reduced to beggary": forced into a state of extreme poverty where one must beg.
  • After losing everything in the war, they were reduced to beggary.
• "A life of beggary": a life characterized by having to beg for sustenance.
  • He escaped a life of beggary through education and hard work.

Variants and Related Words

• Beggar (n): a person who lives by asking for money or food.
  • The old beggar sat on the street corner.
• Beg (v): to ask for something, especially money or food, as charity.
  • He had to beg for scraps to eat.

Synonyms

• Mendicancy: (formal) the practice of begging.
• Pauperism: the state of being very poor.
• Destitution: extreme poverty where basic needs are lacking.
• Panhandling: (informal, chiefly US) the act of begging in public.

Related Phrases

• To live in beggary: to exist in a state of having to beg.
  • The novel's protagonist was born into a family living in beggary.
• Driven to beggary: compelled by circumstances to become a beggar.
  • The drought drove the farmers to beggary.

Noun

1. the state of being a beggar or mendicant
   • they were reduced to mendicancy
2. a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)