I.adj., beggarly, needy, in want, indigent (class.).
I. Lit.: “paupertas si malum est, mendicus esse beatus nemo potest,” Cic. Fin. 5, 28, 84; cf.: “solos sapientes esse, si mendicissimi (sint), divites,” id. Mur. 29, 61: “mendicior,” Tert. de Anim. 33: “prandia,” Mart. 14, 81.—As subst.: mendīcus , i, m., a beggar, mendicant: “mendicum malim mendicando vincere, Quam, etc.,” Plaut. Bacch. 3, 4, 16: “mendici,” i. e. the priests of Cybele, Hor. S. 1, 2, 2.—As a term of abuse, a beggar, ragamuffin, Ter. And. 4, 5, 20.—
II. Transf., in gen., poor, paltry, mean, sorry, pitiful: “instrumentum mendicum,” Cic. de Or. 3, 24, 92.—Hence, adv.: mendīcē , in a beggarly manner, meanly (post-Aug. and post-class.): “non tam mendice tecum agam, sed plenā manu,” Sen. Ep. 33, 6.—Comp.: “ne mendicius patre coenaret,” Tert. Pall. 5.
