poorhouse
UK[ˈpɔːhaʊs]US[ˈpʊrˌhaʊs]
n
a house where very poor people in the past were sent to live and were given food and work, paid for by the public
Morpheme Breakdown
poor
house
poor
lacking wealth
house
building for dwelling
Etymology
the word 'poorhouse' is a transparent compound formed within english from the native germanic word 'house' and the adjective 'poor', which entered english via old french from latin 'pauper'. the latin 'pauper' itself is a compound from 'pau-' (little) and 'par-' (to produce), literally meaning "producing little." the institutional concept of a 'poorhouse' emerged in the 18th century as a specific building where paupers were housed and set to work, a practice formalized under english poor laws. the term's logic is directly descriptive, combining the condition of its inhabitants with the type of structure, reflecting a societal approach to poverty management.
Analysis
Structure: poor (lacking wealth) + house (building for dwelling)
poor: from old french 'povre', from latin 'pauper' (poor). functions as an adjective root describing a state of poverty.
house: from old english 'hūs' (dwelling, shelter, building). functions as a noun root denoting a building.
Examples
in victorian england, many destitute families ended up in the local poorhouse.
the old poorhouse building has since been converted into a museum of social history.
life in the poorhouse was often harsh and regimented.