disheveled
[dih-shev-uh ld]
- hanging loosely or in disorder; unkempt: disheveled hair.
- untidy; disarranged: a disheveled appearance.
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Also especially British, di·shev·elled.
Origin of disheveled
1375–1425; late Middle English discheveled < Old French deschevele, past participle of descheveler to dishevel the hair, equivalent to des- dis-1 + -cheveler, derivative of chevel a hair < Latin capillus
Synonyms
See more synonyms for disheveled on Thesaurus.com2. rumpled, messy, slovenly, sloppy.
dishevel
[dih-shev-uh l]
- to let down, as hair, or wear or let hang in loose disorder, as clothing.
- to cause untidiness and disarray in: The wind disheveled the papers on the desk.
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Origin of dishevel
First recorded in 1590–1600; back formation from disheveled
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for disheveled
Contemporary Examples
Lemkin hung around the proceedings, disheveled and unkempt, but determined.
When he expresses concern over her bruised and disheveled appearance, she lies and tells him that she fainted.
How Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt Navigated Anna's Controversial Rape ArcKevin Fallon
August 14, 2014
The seizing of an American reporter was only a matter of time, and the bespectacled and disheveled Ostrovsky was a prime target.
In the language of fashion, their twenty-something, cool-girl angst apparently translates to “disheveled ball gown chic.”
When he arrived there, the disheveled outdoorsman was greeted at the airport by hundreds of fans.
Burt’s Bees Co-Founder Burt Shavitz on the Doc ‘Burt’s Buzz,’ and Losing MillionsMarlow Stern
September 11, 2013
Historical Examples
His all-night ride from Cherbourg had left him disheveled, unshaven and hungry.
The HarborErnest Poole
He was disheveled, surprised and angry, but Garlock gave him no chance to speak.
The Galaxy PrimesEdward Elmer Smith
With his fingers he gingerly parted his wet, disheveled hair.
The White MiceRichard Harding Davis
The other advanced a step, looking a trifle pale and disheveled.
LoduskyFrances Hodgson Burnett
He was disheveled, but his manner was as imperturbable as ever.
Tarrano the ConquerorRaymond King Cummings
dishevel
- to disarrange (the hair or clothes) of (someone)
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Word Origin
C15: back formation from dishevelled
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for disheveled
adj.
also dishevelled, early 15c., "without dressed hair," parallel form of dishevel (adj.); see dishevel. General sense of "with disordered dress" is from c.1600.
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dishevel
v.
originally an adjective, "bare-headed," late 14c., variant (with muted final -e) of dishevely, from Old French deschevele "bare-headed, with shaven head," past participle adjective from descheveler "to disarrange the hair," from des- "apart" (see dis-) + chevel "hair," from Latin capillus "hair" (see capillary). Of the hair, "dissheveled," mid-15c. OED says use as a verb is chiefly a back-formation from disheveled.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper