shabby

== English == === Etymology === The adjective is derived from shab (“(obsolete except UK, dialectal) scaly skin disease; skin disease of sheep; crust forming over wound, scab”) +‎ -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of’ forming adjectives). The verb is derived from the adjective. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA(key): /ˈʃæbi/ Rhymes: -æbi Hyphenation: shab‧by === Adjective === shabby (comparative shabbier, superlative shabbiest) Of clothing, a place, etc.: unkempt and worn or otherwise in poor condition due to age or neglect; scruffy. Synonyms: decrepit, moth-eaten, run-down, timeworn, tired, tacky; see also Thesaurus:deteriorated, Thesaurus:ramshackle Of a person: wearing ragged or very worn, and often dirty, clothing. (figurative) Of a person, their behaviour, etc.: despicable, mean; also, not generous; stingy, tight-fisted. (not generous): Synonyms: ungenerous; see also Thesaurus:stingy (often in the negative) Poor in quality; also, showing little effort or talent. (medicine, archaic) Of the pulse: thready, weak. (UK, dialectal or informal) Of weather: wet and dreary. (UK, dialectal, veterinary medicine) Chiefly of sheep: affected by shab or scab (“a skin disease”); scabby. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === shabby (third-person singular simple present shabbies, present participle shabbying, simple past and past participle shabbied) (transitive) To make (something) shabby (adjective sense 1); to shabbify. (intransitive) To become shabby; to shabbify. ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === “shabby”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.