Penury

Noun

Definition: Extreme poverty or destitution.

Synonyms: Poverty, Indigence, Destitution, Need

Antonyms: Wealth, Affluence, Abundance

Examples:

The family lived in penury, struggling to afford basic necessities.
The novel depicts the protagonist's journey from penury to prosperity.

Mnemonics:

"Penury" sounds like "penniless," which emphasizes the state of extreme poverty.

Etymology:

Origin:

Middle English from Latin 'penuria', meaning scarcity or need.

Historical Usage:

The word has been used since Middle English and has consistently denoted a state of extreme poverty or scarcity.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"In penury"

Explanation:

Refers to being in a state of extreme poverty or lacking the basic necessities of life.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "penury" with "penny."

Explanation:

"Penury" refers to a state of extreme poverty, while "penny" refers to a denomination of currency. They are not interchangeable and have different meanings and contexts.