poor law

a law or system of laws providing for the relief or support of the poor at public expense.

Origin of poor law

First recorded in 1745–55

In the course of the discussion, Mr. Lefroy bore testimony to the generally successful working of the Irish poor-law.

The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. |E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
Where there is accord between charity and the poor-law pauperism may be largely reduced.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 8 |Various
Recently she has visited Denmark and had the privilege of investigating the working of the Poor-law system.

Glimpses into the Abyss |Mary Higgs
The poor-law was merely a partial atonement for a vast and continuous process of plunder.

The English Utilitarians, Volume II (of 3) |Leslie Stephen

He said that the factory system was doomed; and that the poor-law could not much longer continue to exist.

The Chronicles of Crime or The New Newgate Calendar. v. 2/2 |Camden Pelham

poor law

English history a law providing for the relief or support of the poor from public, esp parish, funds