
好词典

源自中古英语,由penny(便士)和-less(无)组成,字面意思是'连一便士都没有'。
❶ 形容一个人身无分文、极度贫穷的状态,通常指连最基本的生活费用都无法负担的情况。
“After losing his job, he became penniless and had to rely on friends for food.”
(失业后他变得身无分文,只能靠朋友接济食物。)
“The penniless artist lived in a tiny attic and painted on old newspapers.”
(这位穷困潦倒的艺术家住在小阁楼里,在旧报纸上作画。)
penniless wanderer — 指那些身无分文四处流浪的人,常用来形容无家可归或经济极度困难的流浪者。
“The penniless wanderer slept on park benches during the cold winter nights.”
(这个身无分文的流浪者在寒冷的冬夜睡在公园长椅上。)