mangy
UK: ˈmeɪndʒi | US: ˈmeɪndʒi
adj. (of an animal) having skin disease, especially causing hair loss; scabby or shabby
adj. (figuratively) appearing neglected or in poor condition
The word "mangy" derives from "mange," a term for a skin disease in animals (especially dogs) caused by parasitic mites, leading to hair loss and scabbing. "Mange" itself comes from Old French "mangier" (to eat), referring to the mites' action of "eating" the skin. The suffix "-y" turns it into an adjective, describing the affected state. Over time, "mangy" expanded metaphorically to describe anything shabby or neglected.
The stray dog looked mangy, with patches of fur missing.
She refused to sit on the mangy old couch in the basement.
A mangy fox wandered near the campsite, clearly unwell.
His mangy coat had seen better days.
The abandoned house had a mangy, overgrown lawn.