— needily , adv.
/nee"dee/ , adj., needier, neediest , n.
adj.
1. in a condition of need or want; poverty-stricken; impoverished; extremely poor; destitute.
n.
2. ( used with a pl. v. ) needy persons collectively (usually prec. by the ): Help the needy.
[ 1125-75; ME nedi; see NEED, -Y 1 ]