poorhouse

[ poo r-hous ]

/ ˈpʊərˌhaʊs /

noun, plural poor·hous·es [poo r-hou-ziz] /ˈpʊərˌhaʊ zɪz/.

(formerly) an institution in which paupers were maintained at public expense.

Nearby words

poor white trash, poor-do, poor-mouth, poor-spirited, poor-will, poorhouse, poori, poorish, poorly, poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma, poorness

Origin of poorhouse

First recorded in 1735–45; poor + house

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for poorhouse

He doesn't mean very much to me—just enough so that I don't relish his going to the poorhouse, that's all.'
The Story Of Waitstill Baxter|By Kate Douglas Wiggin
She could not treat him like a common tenant of the poorhouse, and he was sure she would keep his secret.
Little Tora, The Swedish Schoolmistress and Other Stories|Mrs. Woods Baker
Weary old-age from Pennygreen poorhouse taking its pleasure of cakes and ale half suspiciously in the broad sunshine.
The History of Sir Richard Calmady|Lucas Malet
Following a secret plan, she adopted a boy from the poorhouse, and brought him up with every advantage that money could buy.
The Promised Land|Mary Antin

It has charge of the county property, including the court-house, jail, and poorhouse.
Our Government: Local, State, and National: Idaho Edition|J.A. James

British Dictionary definitions for poorhouse

poorhouse

/ (ˈpʊəˌhaʊs, ˈpɔː-) /

noun

(formerly) a publicly maintained institution offering accommodation to the poor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for poorhouse

poorhouse

1781, from poor (n.) + house (n.).