Word of the Day

Friday, January 25, 2008

disheveled

\dih-SHEV-uhld\ , adjective;

also dishevelled

In loose disorder; disarranged; unkempt; as, "disheveled hair."

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Quotes:

His cheeks were perpetually rosy, and his thinning sandy brown hair was brushed straight back -- and disheveled just enough to suggest a man in a hurry.

-- Kai Bird, The Color of Truth

I was known for my disheveled attire, messy desk and erratic work habits.

-- Michael Isikoff, Uncovering Clinton

He was wearing a disheveled shirt buttoned up wrong and a belt outside the belt loops and even with the beanie on his head looked as always handsome.

-- Susan Minot, Evening

At one point she bends her body in an arc, lifts a hind leg, and scratches her shoulder, leaving a disheveled spot in her fur.

-- Richard Nelson, Heart and Blood

Origin:

Disheveled is from Old French descheveler, "to disarrange the hair," from des-, "apart" (from Latin dis-) + chevel, "hair," from Latin capillus.