miser Meaning, Definition & Usage

Mi"ser noun

Etymology

L. miser wretched, miserable; cf. Gr. hate, , to hate: cf. It. & Sp. misero wretched, avaricious.

Definitions

1. A wretched person; a person afflicted by any great misfortune. Obs. Spenser.

   The woeful words of a miser now despairing. Sir P. Sidney.

2. A despicable person; a wretch. Obs. Shak.
3. A covetous, grasping, mean person; esp., one having wealth, who lives miserably for the sake of saving and increasing his hoard.

   As some lone miser, visiting his store, Bends at his treasure, counts, recounts it o'er. Goldsmith.

4. A kind of large earth auger. Knight.