destitute & indigent

“Destitute” 和 “indigent” 都可以表示贫穷，但它们的词源和用法有一些不同。

“Destitute” 一词源自拉丁语动词 “destituere”，意为“放弃”。这个词最初的意思是“被遗弃的”，后来扩展到了“贫穷”的意思。

“Indigent” 一词源自拉丁语形容词 “indigēns”，意为“需要”。这个词最初的意思是“贫穷的”，后来扩展到了“需要某物”的意思。

在用法上，这两个词都可以表示贫穷，但 “destitute” 更强调缺乏某物，而 “indigent” 更强调需要某物。

 例如，一个人可能因为缺乏金钱而被称为 “destitute”，也可能因为需要帮助而被称为 “indigent”。

• Destitute:

• "The pandemic has caused many people to lose their jobs and become destitute."

• "When he died, his wife and children were left destitute."

• "Another dry summer, he says, would leave him destitute."

• Indigent:

• "Many workhouses have been established for indigent persons capable of work."

• "He compelled the wealthy to share their riches with the indigent and helpless and to make them their equals in respect of all the comforts and conditions of life."

• "You don’t look indigent."