poverty
/ˈpɔvətɪ; `pɑvɚtɪ/ n[U]
1 state of being poor 贫穷; 贫困
live in poverty 过著穷困的生活
She had been worn down by poverty and illness. 她贫病交加, 受尽折磨.
2 existing in too small amounts; scarcity or lack 贫乏; 缺乏
His work was criticized for its poverty of imagination. 他的作品因缺乏想像力而受到批评.
They were handicapped by
(a) poverty of resources. 他们因资源短缺处境窘迫.
3 state of being inferior; poor quality 低劣; 劣质
the poverty of the soil 土地的贫瘠
They were recognizable by the poverty of their dress. 根据衣著寒酸这一点可以把他们认出来.
4 (idm 习语) grinding poverty => grinding (grind). Cf 参看 poorness.