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poor farm

American  

noun

  1. a farm maintained at public expense for the housing and support of paupers.


Etymology

Origin of poor farm

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The discovery of a dragon’s egg puts a poor farm boy on the path to his destiny to be a Dragon Rider and defeat an evil king.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2020

A brief history of the Washington County poor farm, orphanage and homes for aged men and aged women is posted on the county website.

From Washington Times • Dec. 29, 2019

Magpie bridge: China's relay satellite takes its name from the story of a goddess's daughter who falls in love with a poor farm hand.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2019

But today, having worked his way from being a poor farm boy in the mountains to Norway’s wealthiest resident, he is not so sure independence was such a good idea.

From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2014

The only charity Lyddie dreaded more than Aunt Clarissa’s was that of the township’s poor farm.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson