indigence Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a state of extreme poverty or destitution
    need; pauperization; penury; pauperism.
    • their indigence appalled him
    • a general state of need exists among the homeless

WordNet

In"di*gence noun
Etymology
L. indigentia: cf. F. indigence. See Indigent.
Definitions
  1. The condition of being indigent; want of estate, or means of comfortable subsistence; penury; poverty; as, helpless, indigence. Cowper. Syn. -- Poverty; penury; destitution; want; need; privation; lack. See Poverty.

Webster 1913