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tattered

 - 4 dictionary results

tat⋅tered

[tat-erd]
–adjective
1. torn to tatters; ragged: a tattered flag.
2. wearing ragged clothing: a tattered old man.

Origin:
1300–50; ME; see tatter 1 (n.), -ed 3

tat⋅ter

1[tat-er]
–noun
1. a torn piece hanging loose from the main part, as of a garment or flag.
2. a separate torn piece; shred.
3. tatters, torn or ragged clothing: dressed in rags and tatters.
–verb (used with object)
4. to tear or wear to tatters.
–verb (used without object)
5. to become ragged.

Origin:
1375–1425; (n.) late ME < ON tǫturr rag, tatter; akin to OE tætteca rag, shred; (v.) back formation from tattered
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To tattered
tat·ter 1   (tāt'ər)   
n.  
  1. A torn and hanging piece of cloth; a shred.

  2. tatters Torn and ragged clothing; rags.

tr. & intr.v.   tat·tered, tat·ter·ing, tat·ters
To make or become ragged.

[Middle English tater, of Scandinavian origin.]
tat·tered   (tāt'ərd)   
adj.  
  1. Torn into shreds; ragged.

  2. Having ragged clothes; dressed in tatters.

    1. Shabby or dilapidated.

    2. Disordered or disrupted.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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