indigence
(ˈɪndɪdʒəns)
Also 5–6 indygence, 6 indigens, (7 indygens).
[a. F. indigence (13th c. in Littré), ad. L. indigēntia, f. indigēnt-em indigent: see -ence.]
† 1. The fact or condition of wanting or needing (a thing); want or need of something requisite; lack, deficiency; need, requirement.
| c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints, Egipciane 319 Grant syne to myn Indigens þi proteccione & defens! 1387–8 T. Usk Test. Love iii. viii, By indigence of goodes..by right shulde he ben punisshed. ? 14.. Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.) II. 223 And beestys alle shal..Nouthir ete nor drynke for noon indigence. 1513 Douglas æneis Prol. 72 Therto perfyte, but ony indigence. a 1628 Preston New Covt. (1634) 25 Mutual indigence knits men together, when they have need one of another. 1678 Gale Crt. Gentiles iii. 165 Working..by a particular concurse suitable to the indigence of the mater it workes on. 1775 Harris Philos. Arrangem. Wks. (1841) 316 Every subordinate being..is..subject to wants, (indigence and imperfection being essential to its constitution). |
2. spec. Want of the means of subsistence; straitened circumstances; poverty, penury, destitution.
| c 1386 Chaucer Man of Law's T. 6 Thou most for Indigence Or stele, or begge, or borwe thy dispence. 1444 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 217 Avaunsyd persownys holde residence Among ther parysshens, make a departysoun Of ther tresours to folk in indigence. 1555 Abp. Parker Ps. xxxiv. 86 God seeth the just in providence..He them relieveth in indigens. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1211 This other heere. doth not abandon povertie, nor raseth out the hereditary indigence of his father and house. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 276 ¶1 To tell a rich Man of the Indigence of a Kinsman of his. 1791 Burke App. Whigs Wks. 1842 I. 495 As they had before been reduced from affluence to indigence. 1884 J. Rae Contemp. Socialism 414 To have no shoes is a mark of extreme indigence to-day. |
b. personified.
| c 1420 Lydg. Story Thebes i. in Chaucer's Wks. (1561) 360/2 Treason, Pouert, Indigence and Nede And cruell death, in his rent wede. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. xviii, This place, the usual retreat of indigence and frugality. 1858–65 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xi. i. IV. 7 Under this King Indigence itself may still have something of a human aspect. |
† 3. An instance of want; a want, a need. Obs.
| c 1416 Hoccleve Min. Poems (1892) 62 Let your hy worthynesse Oure indigences softne & abate! 1491 Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) i. xliii. 72 b/1 She endured not oonly grete indigences; But also many rebukes and shames. 1664–94 South Twelve Serm. II. 114 We..lay before them our Wants and Indigences, and the misery of our Condition. |