poor law

American  

noun

1. a law or system of laws providing for the relief or support of poor people at public expense.

---

poor law British  

noun

1. English history a law providing for the relief or support of the poor from public, esp parish, funds

---

Etymology

Origin of poor law

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

She was elected to the Nantwich Board of Guardians, who administered the poor law, and also travelled around the country speaking for the ILP.

From BBC • Jul. 29, 2023

Corruption, poor law enforcement and armed conflict have left West and Central Africa vulnerable to international criminals and made the region a hotbed of ivory and pangolin scale trafficking to Asia in recent years.

From Reuters • Dec. 13, 2021

“This was not a case of the Wetterlings saying that that they wanted this looked into because of poor law enforcement – they just wanted to find their son,” Baran said.

From The Guardian • Sep. 15, 2016

On Tuesday Akilesh Yadav said criticism of the poor law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh was unfair.

From The Guardian • Jun. 3, 2014

The poor law was also amended, absolute religious liberty was proclaimed, and he even succeeded in inventing and popularizing a national costume which was in general use from 1778 till his death.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 6 "Groups, Theory of" to "Gwyniad" by Various