What does destitute mean in Victorian times?

While being destitute was not a crime in itself, being poor was. In the eyes of the law, the destitute were those who had neither the means nor the will to support themselves. Simply being poor was not enough to make you destitute, though; you had to be on the verge of starvation.

What does destitute mean in the s?

The destitute were those who lived on the edge of survival. Although the term ‘destitute’ was often used to describe those who were completely impoverished, it could also refer to those who were facing temporary financial difficulty. Those who were destitute were forced to live on charity, and often ended up in workhouses or prisons.

What did destitute mean in Victorian times?

As you can imagine, the destitute were not all poor people living in the gutters. In fact, the destitute were those who could not afford to pay for their own room and board. These were people who lived in the workhouses.

What does destitute mean in the ?

The destitute were paupers or people in poverty and need. The term was used in a broad sense to describe anyone who was poor or homeless, or who had no means to care for themselves. This would include people who were sick or injured, unemployed, or old, those who had been evicted or were simply without a home. The destitute were also called “vagrants” or “tramps.”

What does destitute mean in the language?

Destitute is a word that, although it has a very specific meaning in the context of people who are living without a home, conveys a sense of complete impoverishment. It implies that the person is so impoverished that they have no ability to provide for themselves, and so must live off of charity. In the United States, this was virtually unheard of before the American Civil War, when the practice of giving money to the poor began making a dent in the destitute population.