raggedly
UK: ˈræɡɪdli | US: ˈræɡɪdli
adv. in a tattered, uneven, or irregular manner
adv. (of sound or movement) harshly or roughly
The word "raggedly" derives from "ragged," which originated in Middle English as "raggyd," meaning "tattered" or "rough-edged." The root "rag" refers to a torn piece of cloth, tracing back to Old Norse "rögg" (shaggy tuft). The suffix "-ed" forms the adjective, and "-ly" converts it into an adverb. The evolution reflects a literal-to-figurative shift, from describing physical fraying to metaphorical unevenness (e.g., "raggedly dressed" or "raggedly spoken").
The old flag fluttered raggedly in the wind.
He breathed raggedly after climbing the steep hill.
Her sleeves hung raggedly at the wrists.
The choir sang raggedly, missing several notes.
The dog’s fur was raggedly matted with mud.