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impecunious

[im-pi-kyoo-nee-uhs]
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adjective
  1. having little or no money; penniless; poor.
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Origin of impecunious

1590–1600; im-2 + obsolete pecunious wealthy < Latin pecūniōsus, equivalent to pecūni(a) wealth + -ōsus -ous
Related formsim·pe·cu·ni·ous·ly, adverbim·pe·cu·ni·ous·ness, im·pe·cu·ni·os·i·ty [im-pi-kyoo-nee-os-i-tee] /ˌɪm pɪˌkyu niˈɒs ɪ ti/, noun

Synonyms

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destitute, poverty-stricken. See poor.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

bankruptcybarrennessbeggarydearthdebtdeficiencydeficitdepletiondestitutiondifficultydistressemptinessfaminehardshipimpoverishmentinadequacyindigenceinsolvencyinsufficiencylack

Examples from the Web for impecuniosity

Historical Examples

  • Harrison, in addition to his impecuniosity, had other peculiarities of which vanity was not the least.

    Watch Yourself Go By

    Al. G. Field

  • When last met, you suffered from the impecuniosity of a churched mouse.

  • Nevertheless, this was also the special age of alchemists and of impecuniosity.

  • Mr. Osborne had had thirty years' experience with the impecuniosity of authors.

    To Him That Hath

    Leroy Scott

  • It is a lamentable fact that impecuniosity is the common lot of the class.

    The Hindoos as they Are

    Shib Chunder Bose

British Dictionary definitions for impecuniosity

impecunious

adjective
  1. without money; penniless
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Derived Formsimpecuniously, adverbimpecuniousness or impecuniosity (ˌɪmpɪkjuːnɪˈɒsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin

C16: from im- (not) + -pecunious, from Latin pecūniōsus wealthy, from pecūnia money
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for impecuniosity

impecunious

adj.

"lacking in money," 1590s, from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + Latin pecuniosus "rich," from pecunia "money, property" (see pecuniary). Related: Impecuniously; impecuniosity.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper