disadvantaged

(dĭsˌəd-vănˈtĭjd)

1. Deprived of some of the basic necessities or advantages of life, such as adequate housing, medical care, or educational facilities.
2. Being at a disadvantage, especially with respect to competitive or opposing elements or forces: “We can't have . . . disadvantaged conventional forces on one hand and strategic nuclear forces on the other” (Bernard Rogers).

Related Forms:

• disˌad·vanˈtaged·ness noun