Definition: miser

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

miser
     n : a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living
         miserably)

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Miser \Mi"ser\, n. [L. miser wretched, miserable; cf. Gr. ?
   hate, ?, ? to hate: cf. It. & Sp. misero wretched,
   avaricious.]
   1. A wretched person; a person afflicted by any great
      misfortune. [Obs.] --Spenser.

            The woeful words of a miser now despairing. --Sir P.
                                                  Sidney.

   2. A despicable person; a wretch. [Obs.] --Shak.

   3. A covetous, grasping, mean person; esp., one having
      wealth, who lives miserably for the sake of saving and
      increasing his hoard.

            As some lone miser, visiting his store, Bends at his
            treasure, counts, recounts it o'er.   --Goldsmith.

   4. A kind of large earth auger. --Knight.