Choose the word or phrase that best defines the italicized word.
"An aged man is but a *paltry* thing,/ A tattered coat upon a stick..."
a.inadequate
b.invisible
c.significant
d.unwise
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paltry
a.inadequate
The word "paltry" means inadequate.
To define the italicized word "paltry" in the given context, we can break it down and examine the meaning of each option provided.
a. "Inadequate" means not enough or not sufficient. This does not fit the context of the poem, as the quote describes an aged man but does not imply that he is insufficient or lacking in any way.
b. "Invisible" means unable to be seen or unnoticed. While an argument could be made for this option in terms of the aged man being disregarded or overlooked by others, it does not capture the full meaning of "paltry" as described in the quote.
c. "Significant" means having importance or meaning. This option does not align with the negative connotation of "paltry" used in the quote, which suggests something of little value or worth.
d. "Unwise" means lacking good judgment or being foolish. This option does not accurately define "paltry" either, as it does not capture the essence of something being small or insignificant.
The best choice for defining "paltry" in this context is option a. "Inadequate." However, it's important to note that the provided options may not fully capture the subtleties of the word's meaning. To get a more complete sense of the connotation, it would be helpful to consult a dictionary or consider the overall tone and context of the poem.