I.one who works for his daily bread, a day-labourer, a poor man, distinguished from πτωχός (beggar), Hdt., Soph., etc.
II.as adj. of a poor man, δόμος Eur.; ἐν πένητι σώματι id=Eur.: c. gen., π. χρημάτων poor in money, id=Eur.; π. φίλων Plat.:— comp. πενέστερος Xen.; Sup. πενέστατος Dem.