Miser

Noun

Definition: A person who hoards wealth and spends as little money as possible.

Definition: A person who is stingy or extremely reluctant to spend money.

Synonyms: Scrooge, Penny-pincher, Skinflint

Antonyms: Generous, Spendthrift, Philanthropist

Examples:
  • The old man was known in the community as a miser who never treated himself to anything nice.
  • Despite having ample wealth, the miser refused to donate even a small amount to charity.
Mnemonics:
  • Think of "miser" similar to "misery" and imagine a person who chooses to live in misery by not enjoying their wealth.
  • Think of the word "miser" as a contraction of "misery" and "saver," symbolizing someone who saves money to the point of causing themselves misery.

Etymology:

Origin:

The term "miser" originated from Latin "miser" meaning wretched or unhappy.

Historical Usage:

The concept of a miser as someone who displays extreme stinginess or thrifty behavior has been present in various cultures throughout history. The character of a miser is frequently encountered in literature and folklore, representing the negative traits associated with excessive greed and attachment to possessions.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"As rich as a miser"

Explanation:

This phrase is used to describe someone who is extremely wealthy, often implying that they obtained their riches through being excessively frugal or miserly.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Misers are solely motivated by wealth accumulation.

Explanation:

While the primary characteristic of a miser is their excessive love for wealth, it's important to note that their behavior can also stem from a fear of poverty, a desire for control, or psychological factors beyond mere love for money.

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