Meagerest: meaning, definitions and examples
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meagerest
[ ˈmiːɡərɪst ]
amount, quality
The term 'meagerest' refers to the least amount or the lowest quality of something. It often describes a situation or condition that is lacking in richness, fullness, or abundance. This adjective emphasizes scarcity and insufficiency, highlighting a state that is not only poor but also minimal in every aspect. When something is described as the meagerest, it suggests the barest necessities or the most inadequate resources available.
Synonyms
insufficient, least, minimal, poverty-stricken, scantiest
Examples of usage
- The funds were at their meagerest this month.
- Her meagerest meal consisted of a single slice of bread.
- The meagerest of resources hindered their efforts.
Translations
Translations of the word "meagerest" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mais escasso
🇮🇳 सबसे पतला
🇩🇪 dürftigste
🇮🇩 paling sedikit
🇺🇦 найбідніший
🇵🇱 najskromniejszy
🇯🇵 最も乏しい
🇫🇷 le plus maigre
🇪🇸 el más magro
🇹🇷 en kıt
🇰🇷 가장 부족한
🇸🇦 الأكثر شحًا
🇨🇿 nejchudší
🇸🇰 najchudobnejší
🇨🇳 最贫乏的
🇸🇮 najrevnejši
🇮🇸 fátækasti
🇰🇿 ең кедей
🇬🇪 ყველაზე ღარიბი
🇦🇿 ən kasıb
🇲🇽 el más pobre
Word origin
The word 'meager' comes from the Old French 'maigre,' meaning thin or lean, which itself has roots in the Latin 'macrum.' The suffix '-est' is a superlative that implies the highest degree of the quality described by the adjective it is attached to. Historically, 'meager' has been used to denote deficiency or lack, and its usage dates back to Middle English where it was often associated with starvation or lack of sustenance. Over time, the term evolved to describe not only physical scarcity but also metaphorical uses relating to lack of quality or worth. Thus, 'meagerest' serves as an intensifier expressing the extreme form of inadequacy or insufficiency.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #42,740, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.