tatterdemalion

/ˌtætərdɪˈmeɪljən/
adjective
  1. Wearing torn or ragged clothing; shabby and unkempt in appearance.
    • The tatterdemalion figure at the bus stop was actually a famous artist in disguise.
    • After hiking through the brambles for hours, they looked positively tatterdemalion.
    • The old scarecrow stood tatterdemalion in the field, its straw poking through every tear.
noun
  1. A person dressed in ragged, shabby clothing; a ragamuffin.
    • In the painting, a lone tatterdemalion sits on the steps of the grand cathedral.
    • The children's book told the story of a brave tatterdemalion who saved the kingdom.
    • A group of tatterdemalions gathered around the fire, sharing stories of their travels.
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