poverty-n; 2 Senses

Sense Number 1: state of lacking money

Commentary: The state of being poor or lacking material goods. Can be used metaphorically for other types of "poorness".

Examples:
John was living a life of poverty.
John was living in poverty.
He's under the poverty line.
Why'd you take a vow of poverty?
Your policies are causing poverty in America.
I'm studying the poverty of children in India.
The President decided to end poverty.
Too many sinners are living in spiritual poverty.

Mappings:
WordNet 2.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: a lack of something

Commentary: The lack of something (usually not money). There is usually an explanation of what is lacking.

Examples:
There is a poverty of choices for voters.
There are three types of destitution: a poverty of money, a poverty of access, and a poverty of power.

Mappings:
WordNet 2.0 Sense Numbers: -