poor rate

British  

noun

1. English history a rate or tax levied by parishes for the relief or support of the poor

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

poor rate

The poor rate is excessively high, the administration very expensive, and the economy is practised where it is least needed, is the complaint I hear again and yet again.

From The Letters of "Norah" on Her Tour Through Ireland by McDougall, Margaret Moran Dixon

Her husband had paid scores of pounds in the shape of poor rate, but that counted for nothing.

From The Squire's Daughter by Hocking, Silas K(itto)

The administration of the poor rate, which consisted of officials of the respective parishes, is therefore reformed.

From Selected Essays by Stenning, H. J.

Of the two estimates of the poor rate mentioned in the text one was formed by Arthur Moore, the other, some years later, by Richard Dunning.

From The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 1 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron

I have been told by what I consider good authority, that for every shilling levied of the distressingly great poor rate eightpence is needed to pay the administrative officials.

From The Letters of "Norah" on Her Tour Through Ireland by McDougall, Margaret Moran Dixon