I.to be without means or resource; and so,
1.to be at a loss, be in doubt, be puzzled, mostly followed by a relative clause, ἀπ. ὅκως διαβήσεται to be at a loss how he shall cross, Hdt.; ἀπ. ὅ τι χρὴ ποιεῖν Xen.; with an acc. added, ἀπ. τὴν ἔλασιν ὅκως διεκπερᾶι to be at a loss about his march, how he shall cross, Hdt.; and with an acc. only, to be at a loss about it, id=Hdt.; c. inf. to be at a loss how to do, Ar., Plat.; ἀπ. περί τινος Plat.:—also absol., οὐκ ἀπορήσας without hesitation, Hdt., etc.:—Mid. in same sense, id=Hdt., Plat.
2.in Pass., of things, to be left wanting, left unprovided for, Xen.
II.c. gen. rei, to be at a loss for, in want of, Soph., Thuc., etc.
IV.absol. to be in want, be poor, Plat.