Word of the Day - 01/23/26
indigent
/'ɪndɪdʒɛnt/(adj.): poor enough to need help from others
The city established a new program to provide food and shelter for its indigent population.
Word Origin
The word 'indigent' originates from the Latin word 'indigens', which is the present participle of 'indigere'. 'Indigere' means 'to need' or 'to want'. This Latin word itself is composed of the prefix 'in-' (which here functions as an intensive prefix, meaning 'very much' or 'greatly') and 'egere', meaning 'to need' or 'to be in want'. Thus, 'indigent' refers to someone who is in great need, especially of basic necessities.