tattered
[ tat-erd ]
/ ˈtæt ərd /
adjective
torn to tatters; ragged: a tattered flag.
wearing ragged clothing: a tattered old man.
Nearby words
tatpurusha, tatra mountains, tatt, tatter, tatterdemalion, tattered, tatters, tattersall, tattersall's, tatti, jacopo, tattie
Related formsun·tat·tered, adjective
Definition for tattered (2 of 2)
tatter
1[ tat-er ]
/ ˈtæt ər /
noun
a torn piece hanging loose from the main part, as of a garment or flag.
a separate torn piece; shred.
tatters, torn or ragged clothing: dressed in rags and tatters.
verb (used with object)
to tear or wear to tatters.
verb (used without object)
to become ragged.
Origin of tatter
11375–1425; (noun) late Middle English < Old Norse tǫturr rag, tatter; akin to Old English tætteca rag, shred; (v.) back formation from tattered
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for tattered
British Dictionary definitions for tattered (1 of 2)
tattered
/ (ˈtætəd) /
adjective
ragged or worna tattered old book
wearing ragged or torn clothingtattered refugees
damaged, defeated, or in disarrayhe believes he can bring the tattered party together
British Dictionary definitions for tattered (2 of 2)
tatter
/ (ˈtætə) /
verb
to make or become ragged or worn to shreds
noun
(plural) torn or ragged pieces, esp of material
in tatters
- torn to pieces; in shreds
- destroyed or ruined
Word Origin for tatter
C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic töturr rag, Old English tættec, Old High German zæter rag
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for tattered
tatter
mid-14c., "clad in slashed garments," from Old Norse toturr "rag," cognate with Old English tættec, tætteca "rag, tatter," Low German tater "tatter." The noun is attested from c.1400.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper