Extremely dirty and unpleasant conditions, especially due to poverty or neglect; moral degradation or corruption.
From Latin 'squalor' meaning 'filth, dirt,' from 'squalere' (to be filthy). Originally described physical dirtiness but extended to moral corruption in English, reflecting the connection between physical and spiritual cleanliness in many cultures.
The Romans associated physical cleanliness with moral virtue, so 'squalor' naturally encompassed both meanings. The related word 'squalid' shares this dual nature – we still use these terms to describe both literal filth and moral corruption.
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