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poor farm

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

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for poor farm

Historical Examples

  • "Tom don' want to go to the poor-farm," he wailed piteously.

    The Village Watch-Tower

    (AKA Kate Douglas Riggs) Kate Douglas Wiggin

  • He had been born on a poor-farm, but no one knew it at Pleasant River.

    The Village Watch-Tower

    (AKA Kate Douglas Riggs) Kate Douglas Wiggin

  • "I'll drive her over to the poor-farm when she turns up," said Weeks.

  • You said that little cripple had to live at the poor-farm, didn't you?

  • That is a pleasant diversion in life compared with the poor-farm.