American Dictionary of the English Language

PENU'RIOUS, adjective [Latin penuria, scarcity, want; Gr. poor; rare.]

1. Excessively saving or sparing in the use of money; parsimonious to a fault; sordid; as a penurious man. It expresses somewhat less than niggardly.

2. Scanty; affording little; as a penurious spring.