noun

poorhouse

workhouse, poorhouse

In the 19th century, many people feared the poorhouse.

In the 19th century, many people feared the workhouse.

((the poorhouse)) a place for poor people He was afraid of ending up in the poorhouse.

Synonyms: workhouse, almshouse

A compound word from 'poor' and 'house'. Literally a house for poor people.

Think of it literally: a 'house' for the 'poor'. It's a historical term for a place people went when they had no money.

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