Bedraggle Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ง
bedraggle
[bษหdraษกษl ]
Definition
physical condition
To bedraggled means to make something dirty and wet. It often describes something that is in poor condition due to exposure to rain or mud. This term is commonly used to refer to people or animals that appear disheveled and in a state of disarray.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The dog came in bedraggled after playing in the rain.
- Her hair was bedraggled from the wind and rain.
- The children looked bedraggled after their long day at the park.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Literature
- Charles Dickens used the word in his works, often to describe characters who are downtrodden or in disarray, highlighting their struggles.
- It's often used in poetry to evoke imagery of a rainy day or a character's unfortunate circumstances.
Psychology
- Feeling 'bedraggled' can evoke a sense of being overwhelmed or fatigued, reflecting emotional states influenced by weather or physical conditions.
- People often associate being bedraggled with vulnerability, where individuals feel less in control.
Pop Culture
- In film and literature, characters often start a journey looking pristine but end up bedraggled after a series of misadventures.
- Bedraggle has appeared in various comic strips, humorously showcasing characters who find themselves in messy situations.
Nature
- Rainy weather leads to a natural รฉtat of being bedraggled among animals, especially those caught without shelter or preparation.
- This state is common after storms, where the environment itself appears bedraggled, reflecting the aftermath of nature's force.
Origin of 'bedraggle'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the combination of 'be-' meaning 'to make' and 'draggle,' which means to drag or wet something.
- It first appeared in English literature in the early 1600s, showcasing how language evolves over time.
The word 'bedraggle' appears to have originated in the early 19th century, with its earliest documented usage noted in the year 1831. It is a combination of the prefix 'be-', which is often used to form transitive verbs, and 'draggle', which itself comes from an earlier usage meaning to drag along the ground. The term was likely influenced by the condition of something being dragged through mud or water, resulting in a wet and dirty appearance. Over the years, 'bedraggle' has primarily been used in a colloquial sense to describe the disheveled state of animals and people following exposure to harsh weather conditions, particularly rain. The usage of 'bedraggle' in literature and speech helps convey a vivid image of untidiness and the effects of weather on oneโs appearance.