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English Lexicon

Tatterdemalion

/ˌtæt.ɚ.dɪˈmæl.jən/
nounadjectiveCEFR C2 (Proficient)Top #14500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A person dressed in ragged, disheveled, or tattered clothing.

    "A group of tatterdemalions wandered through the town square, begging for scraps."
As adjective
  1. 1

    Being in a ragged, dilapidated, or unkempt condition.

    "The troupe of actors traveled in a tatterdemalion carriage held together by ropes."
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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Originating in the late 16th century, the word is a compound blend of 'tatter' (referring to torn clothing or shreds) and the fanciful suffix or mock-title 'demalion', possibly echoing the Old French 'maillon' or names like Pygmalion. It humorously or disparagingly describes a person dressed in ragged, tattered clothing, evoking the image of a mock nobleman in shreds.

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