indigence
noun/ˈɪndɪd͡ʒəns/
Etymology From Middle English indigence, late 14th century, from Old French indigence (13th century), from Latin indigentia, from indigentem, form of indigēre (“to need”), from indu (“in, within”) + egēre (“be in need, want”). Only relation to antonym affluence is common Latinate suffix + -ence.
1
Extreme poverty or destitution.
- On Professor Solanka’s street, well-heeled white youths lounged in baggy garments on roseate stoops, stylishly simulating indigence while they waited for the billionairedom that would surely be along sometime soon.2001, Salman Rushdie, Fury: A Novel, London: Jonathan Cape, →ISBN, page 4:
- Related terms
- indigent