- Today's Word
Bedraggled
[ bih-drag-uhld ]
Definition
“Bedraggled” is an adjective used to describe something, often clothing or a person’s appearance, that is wet, dirty, or untidy due to being dragged through mud, water, or a similar substance. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that appears disheveled or in poor condition.
Example
The old, abandoned house had a bedraggled appearance, with broken windows and overgrown weeds in the yard. In this example, “bedraggled” is used metaphorically to describe the neglected and deteriorating state of the house’s exterior.
Fun Fact
The term “bedraggled” is derived from the Old English word “draggan,” meaning “to drag.” It originally referred to something or someone that had been dragged through mud or water, resulting in a disheveled or wet appearance.
(adjective) Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior; strictly attentive to rules and etiquette
The punctilious editor caught every misplaced comma and inconsistent font size before the report went to print.
Punctilious derives from the Italian puntiglio and Spanish puntillo, both meaning “a fine point” — diminutives of punto, meaning “point,” from the Latin punctum. It entered English in the 17th century to describe someone obsessively attentive to the fine points of conduct, protocol, and procedure.