poor masterless samurai; lowly ronin
Historical term for a ronin of low status or without means, often contrasted with higher-ranking masterless samurai. Used in period contexts.
In period dramas, there are often scenes where a poor masterless samurai laments his wandering life in town.
Compound of 素 (す, 'plain, mere') and 浪人 (ろうにん, 'masterless samurai'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term likely arose to distinguish impoverished ronin from those of higher standing.