land-poor

[ land-poor ]

adjective

1. in need of ready money while owning much land.

land-poor

adjective

1. owning much unprofitable land and lacking the money to maintain its fertility or improve it

Word History and Origins

Origin of land-poor¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

The moment he lost sight of land poor Poreo could not restrain his tears.

From Project Gutenberg

He may look across broad acres that will some day be his, but he knows that his father is "land poor."

From Project Gutenberg

I am really land poor, having much more land than I have any use for or can till.

From Project Gutenberg

Casey himself is land poor—that is, he has put every dollar he could rake together into land.

From Project Gutenberg

The steam thresher would amaze some of our overworked, land-poor farmers.

From Project Gutenberg