mendicity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2)Formal, literary, historical, sociological.
Quick answer
What does “mendicity” mean?
The state or practice of begging.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or practice of begging; the condition of being a beggar.
The formal, often institutional or social, characterization of begging as a widespread activity or condition within a society.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or legal texts.
Connotations
Carries a formal, almost clinical or sociological tone. Can imply a systemic social issue rather than individual choice.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech. Primarily found in academic writing on poverty, historical studies, or religious texts.
Grammar
How to Use “mendicity” in a Sentence
[The + Adjective + mendicity + of + NP][Verb + mendicity] (e.g., 'to criminalize mendicity')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mendicity” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Victorian Mendicity Society aimed to suppress street begging.
- The 1824 Vagrancy Act was a key piece of legislation targeting mendicity.
American English
- The historian's thesis focused on mendicity as a social ill in early industrial cities.
- Colonial laws often conflated mendicity with idleness.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in sociology, history, or theology papers discussing poverty. (e.g., 'The study examined the causes of urban mendicity in the 19th century.')
Everyday
Never used. 'Begging' is the universal term.
Technical
Possible in legal or historical contexts referencing specific 'Mendicity Laws' or institutions like the 'Mendicity Society'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mendicity”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mendicity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mendicity”
- Using it to mean 'lying' (confusion with 'mendacity').
- Using it in casual conversation where 'begging' is appropriate.
- Misspelling as 'mendacity'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and used almost exclusively in formal, academic, or historical writing.
'Begging' refers to the individual act. 'Mendicity' is a formal, often abstract noun for the practice or condition of begging as a social phenomenon.
men-DIS-i-ty. The stress is on the second syllable. Be careful not to confuse its pronunciation with 'mendacity' (men-DAS-i-ty).
No. The related verb is 'to beg'. The noun for a person who practices mendicity is a 'mendicant'.
The state or practice of begging.
Mendicity is usually formal, literary, historical, sociological. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Related: 'on the beg' (slang), 'to live on alms'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MEND' + 'city'. You can't MEND the problems of the CITY if there's widespread MENDICITY.
Conceptual Metaphor
POVERTY IS A DISEASE (mendicity as a symptom or epidemic); SOCIAL ORDER IS CLEANLINESS (mendicity as a stain or nuisance to be removed).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'mendicity' most appropriately used?