meager

English

/ˈmiɡɚ/, /ˈmiːɡə/

adj
Definitions
  • Having little flesh; lean; thin.
  • Poor, deficient or inferior in amount, quality or extent
  • (set theory) Of a set: such that, considered as a subset of a (usually larger) topological space, it is in a precise sense small or negligible.
  • (mineralogy) Dry and harsh to the touch (e.g., as chalk).

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English megre derived from megre derived from Old French maigre derived from Latin macer (lean, meagre, thin, meager, poor, meager poor) derived from Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱros.

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*mh₂ḱros

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms