/ ˈbegə(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a person who lives by asking people for money or food
2.
( BrE , informal ) used with an adjective to describe sb in a particular way :
Aren't you dressed yet, you lazy beggar?
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IDIOMS
- beggars can't be choosers
—more at wish noun
■ verb
[ vn ] to make sb/sth very poor :
Why should I beggar myself for you?
•
IDIOMS
- beggar belief / description
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from beg + -ar .