1. plural of beggary; the state or condition of being a beggar; extreme poverty or destitution
Usage: formal or literary; typically used in historical or philosophical contexts
2. plural of beggary; the practice or act of begging; solicitation of alms
Usage: archaic or formal

Examples

• The industrial revolution lifted many families out of beggaries that had plagued rural communities for centuries.
• In medieval times, beggaries were common sights in city streets and marketplaces.
• The novel depicts the beggaries and hardships faced by the working poor during the Victorian era.
• Social reformers worked to eliminate the beggaries that resulted from unchecked economic inequality.
• Historical records document various beggaries and charitable responses in 18th-century London.