Have-not
[hav-not, -not] /ˈhævˌnɒt, -ˈnɒt/
noun
1.
Usually, have-nots. an individual or group that is without wealth, social position, or other material benefits (contrasted with ).
noun
1.
(usually pl) a person or group of people in possession of relatively little material wealth
n.
“poor person,” 1742, from have + not. Have in the sense of “one who ‘has,’ one of the wealthier class of persons” is from the same source. Earliest in translation of “Don Quixote:
‘A fig for Basilius’s abilities! for, you are worth just as much as you have, and you have just as much as you are worth. There are but two families in the world, as my grandmother used to say; “the Have’s and the Have-not’s,” and she stuck to the former; and now-a-days, master Don Quixote, people are more inclined to feel the pulse of Have than of Know.’ [“Don Quixote de la Mancha,” transl. Charles Jarvis, London, 1742]
modifier
: the have-not nations of the Third World
noun
A poor person, region, etc (1919+)
Read Also:
- Have nothing on
verb phrase To be surpassed by: I have nothing on her in the experience department (1906+) 1. Also, not have anything on. 2. Have no advantage over something or someone, as in This car has nothing on my old one. [ c. 1900 ] 3. Have no damaging information or proof of wrongdoing about someone, […]
- Have nothing to do with
1. Also, not have anything to do with. 2. Be irrelevant, be unrelated, as in Their visit has nothing to do with the holiday. [ Early 1600s ] 3. Avoid, as in Dad insisted that we have nothing to do with the neighbors, or I won’t have anything to do with people who act like […]
- Have a crack at
Also, get or have a go or shot or whack at; take a crack at. Make an attempt or have a turn at doing something. For example, Let me have a crack at assembling it, or I had a shot at it but failed, or Dad thinks he can—let him have a go at it, […]
- Have a cow
Related Terms have kittens
- Have a clue
verb phrase To know; be aware or apprised of •Often in the negative: Do you have a clue about what’s going on here? (WWII British armed forces) Related Terms not have a clue see: not have a clue