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Indigence: meaning, definitions and examples

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indigence

 

[ ˈɪndɪdʒəns ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

extreme poverty

Indigence refers to a state of extreme poverty, where a person lacks the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and clothing. It is a condition of severe deprivation and suffering.

Synonyms

destitution, neediness, penury, poverty

Examples of usage

  • Many families in the region live in indigence, struggling to afford even a single meal a day.
  • The government has programs in place to help lift people out of indigence and provide them with opportunities for a better life.

Translations

Translations of the word "indigence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 indigência

🇮🇳 दरिद्रता

🇩🇪 Dürftigkeit

🇮🇩 kemiskinan

🇺🇦 злидні

🇵🇱 nędza

🇯🇵 貧困 (ひんこん)

🇫🇷 indigence

🇪🇸 indigencia

🇹🇷 yoksulluk

🇰🇷 빈곤 (貧困)

🇸🇦 فقر

🇨🇿 bída

🇸🇰 bieda

🇨🇳 贫困 (pín kùn)

🇸🇮 revščina

🇮🇸 fátækt

🇰🇿 кедейшілік

🇬🇪 სიღარიბე

🇦🇿 yoxsulluq

🇲🇽 indigencia

Etymology

The word 'indigence' originated from the Latin word 'indigentia', meaning 'neediness' or 'want'. It has been used in English since the 15th century to describe a state of extreme poverty or deprivation. Over the centuries, the term has been associated with the struggles of the poor and the efforts to alleviate poverty through social programs and charity.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,732, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.