The AI-powered English dictionary
comparative measlier, superlative measliest
Particularly of pigs or pork: infected with larval tapeworms or trichinae (parasitic roundworms). quotations examples
Then take five or six apples, pick out the cores and fill up the holes thus made with flour of brimstone; stop up the holes and cast in the apples to the measly hog.
1847, William Youatt, The Pig: A Treatise on the Breeds, Management, Feeding, and Medical Treatment, of Swine; with Directions for Salting Pork, and Curing Bacon and Hams, page 113
Of a person: infected with measles. quotations examples
A measly boy, he looked like a tramp, probably one of the street boys from the village, just walked up here and made himself at home, and when I told him to leave, he wouldn't.
1902, The Epworth Herald
(figuratively, informal) Small (especially contemptibly small) in amount. quotations examples
The visiting tourists eagerly forked over a measly two dollars per group to their guides as payment for their services. This amount was measly sum to the givers, but a princely sum to the takers.
2004, Richard Rizun, Ora, Trafford Publishing
So it wasn't a hotel, as I said in my novel, just a measly motel. But to me it was like the First measly motel, and I remember laughing about the things I was saying straight from my unconscious to both his and God's ear.
2010, Marylee Daniel Mitcham, Blacktime Song by Rosalie Wolfe, Strategic Book Publishing, page 127