laggard
UK: ˈlæɡəd | US: ˈlæɡərd
n. a person who makes slow progress or falls behind others
adj. slow to act or respond; sluggish
laggard = lag<fall behind> + ard<person with a trait>
- lag (from Old Norse lagga, meaning "to fall behind" or "delay")
- ard (a suffix of Germanic origin, often pejorative, indicating a person characterized by a trait, e.g., drunkard, coward)
Etymology Origin:
The word laggard emerged in the late 16th century, combining lag (a verb meaning to fall behind) with the suffix -ard, which denotes a person exhibiting a specific quality. The term originally described someone habitually slow or tardy, often with a negative connotation. The suffix -ard reinforces this pejorative sense, painting the individual as defined by their sluggishness.
The teacher scolded the laggard for delaying the group project.
His laggard response to the crisis frustrated everyone.
Tourists often become laggards, slowing down the hiking group.
The company fired the laggard employee for consistently missing deadlines.
She refused to be a laggard and trained hard to keep up with the team.