c. 1200, from Old French begart, originally a member of the Beghards, lay brothers of mendicants in the Low Countries, from Middle Dutch beggaert "mendicant," of uncertain origin, with pejorative suffix (see -ard). Compare Beguine. Early folk etymology connected the English word with bag. Form with -ar attested from 14c., but begger was more usual 15c.-17c. The feminine form beggestere is attested as a surname from c. 1300. Beggar's velvet was an old name for "dust bunnies." "Beggers should be no choosers" is in Heywood (1562).
beggar (v.)
"reduce to poverty," mid-15c., from beggar (n.). Related: Beggared; beggaring. Figurative use by 1640s.
雙語例句
1. He warned that lifting copyright restrictions could beggar the industry.
他警告說解除版權(quán)限制會使這個行業(yè)一貧如洗。
來自柯林斯例句
2. He's a sly old beggar if ever there was one.
他確確實實是個老奸巨猾的家伙。
來自柯林斯例句
3. The statistics beggar belief.
統(tǒng)計數(shù)據(jù)讓人難以置信。
來自柯林斯例句
4. Aren't you dressed yet, you lazy beggar?
你這個懶漢還沒穿好衣服嗎？
來自《權(quán)威詞典》
5. The beggar begged from the rich but they refused.