Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Zoöl.) A large European sciænoid fish (Sciæna umbra or Sciæna aquila), having white bloodless flesh. It is valued as a food fish.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An edible fish, Argyrosomus regius.
  • adjective Having little flesh; lean; thin.
  • adjective Deficient or inferior in amount, quality or extent; paltry; scanty; inadequate; unsatisfying.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective deficient in amount or quality or extent

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle French maigre.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Anglo-Norman megre, Old French maigre, from Latin macer.

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Examples

  • These descriptions shew that the wealth and fertility of the country were praised before its beauty, and that this was only referred to in short, meagre phrases, which tell less about it than any raptures without special knowledge.

    The Development of the Feeling for Nature in the Middle Ages and Modern Times Alfred Biese 1893

  • As the time was Lent, we had fare that they called meagre: fish from the Vienne water, below the town, and eggs cooked in divers fashions, all to the point of excellence, for the wine and fare of Chinon are famous in

    A Monk of Fife Andrew Lang 1878

  • The percentage of blacks in top management positions increased by a "meagre" 9.5 percent between 2000 and 2006.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 2007

  • The state's "meagre" salary offer provided for a raise of R100

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1994

  • The NUM, which is demanding a 25 per cent increase, described the offer as "meagre".

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1994

  • Lt-Gen Johan le Roux were "meagre," the CP said in a statement in Pretoria on Monday.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1994

  • It described industry retrenchment packages as "meagre" and urged that mines be compelled to establish special funds for retrenched workers.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1994

  • It described industry retrenchment packages as "meagre" and urged that mines be compelled to establish special funds for retrenched workers.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1994

  • Nairobi were stranded when without warning, the pilots stopped work, demanding an increase in what they termed "meagre" monthly salaries and allowances.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1993

  • Adding to the uncertainty, key Crucell shareholder Van Herk, which holds a 10.02 percent stake, has called the offer price "meagre" and has not said whether it will tender its shares.

    Reuters: Top News 2011

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