poortith Sc. and north. dial.
(ˈpʊətɪθ)
Forms: 6 purteth, puirteith, 6– puirtith, 8– poortith.
[a. OF. pouer-, poverteit (12th c. in Littré), povretet (1329 in Godef. Compl.), poevreteit (1466 Ibid.), povretez (pl. of -tet, 15th c. Ibid.):—L. paupertāt-em, accus. of paupertās poverty. The examples cited show the OF. form in -tet, surviving almost to the date of the Sc. examples in -teth.]
The condition of being poor; poverty.
| 1508 Dunbar Flyting 118 Bot now, in winter, for purteth thow art traikit. 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 73 Extreime puirteith, nor greit ryches, Thow gif me not. 1721 Ramsay Prospect of Plenty 199 Curs'd poortith! love and hymen's deadly fae. 1786 Burns Twa Dogs 104 They're no sae wretched's ane wad think, Tho' constantly on poortith's brink. a 1839 Praed How Poetry is best paid for i. Though sorrow reign within his heart, And poortith hold his purse. [In E.D.D. from Shetland to Northumbld. and Cumbld.] |