haggard etymology

Etymology

  • Early 17th century: probably from dialectal hag ‘to cut, hack, tire’

Meaning

  • (of a person) looking exhausted and unwell, especially because of fatigue or stress.

Origin

The exact origin of the word haggard is unknown, but it is most likely related to the Old English word haggen, which means ‘to cut or hack’. This may be because haggard people often have a gaunt and careworn appearance, as if they have been "hacked" or "cut" by life's experiences. Alternatively, it may be related to the Old Norse word hagr, which means ‘thin or lean’.

haggard relate terms

  • hedge

    Etymology The word hedge has an Old English origin deriving from the word hecg whic

  • hawthorn

    Etymology Middle English hawethorn from Old English hagaþorn Old English haga hed

  • Norn

    Etymology The word Norn is believed to derive from the Old Norse word norn which mea

  • hedge

    Etymology The word hedge has an Old English origin deriving from the word hecg whic

  • hedge

    Etymology The word hedge has an Old English origin deriving from the word hecg whic

  • hagged

    Etymology The word hagged is derived from the Old English word hag which originally

  • haggard

    Etymology Early 17th century probably from dialectal hag to cut hack tire Mea

  • gaunt

    Etymology The word gaunt comes from Middle English gounte skeleton which in turn c

  • malinger

    Etymology The word malingerer is derived from the French word malingre which means

  • intervention

    Etymology Latin intervenire to come between Inter between venire to come

  • helpmeet

    Etymology Help from Old English helpan meaning to aid assist or support Meet

  • rest

    Etymology The word rest originates from the Old English word restan which means to

  • seminar

    Etymology The word seminar originates from the Latin word seminarium which can be tr

  • engage

    Etymology From Middle English enwagen from Old English onweagian On on upon

  • republic

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word res publica literally meaning public thing or

  • February

    Etymology of February February is derived from the Latin word februarius which means