NOUN (1)

1. a person who is destitute;
- Example: "he tried to help the down-and-out"


ADJECTIVE (1)

1. lacking resources (or any prospect of resources);

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

down-and-out \down-and-out\ adj.
   1. impoverished; -- usually implying a state of dejection as
      well.
      [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

   2. physically weak.

   Syn: down-and-out.
        [PJC]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

down-and-out \down-and-out\ n.
   a person who is destitute; as, he tried to help the
   down-and-out.
   [WordNet 1.5]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

down-and-out
    adj 1: lacking resources (or any prospect of resources)
    n 1: a person who is destitute; "he tried to help the down-and-
         out"