vagrant
UK: ˈveɪɡrənt | US: ˈveɪɡrənt
n. 1. A person without a settled home or regular work who wanders from place to place.
adj. 2. Characterized by wandering or irregular movement; unsettled.
vagrant = vagr<wander> + ant<noun/adjective suffix>
- vagr (from Latin vagari, meaning "to wander")
- ant (a suffix forming nouns/adjectives, often indicating a person or thing that performs an action)
Etymology Origin:
The word "vagrant" traces back to the Latin verb vagari ("to wander"), reflecting the root idea of movement without fixed direction. The suffix "-ant" was adopted from Old French, used to denote someone who performs the action of the root (e.g., "wanderer"). Over time, the term evolved in English to specifically describe individuals without permanent residence or employment, carrying connotations of both physical movement and social marginalization.
The city implemented programs to support vagrants seeking shelter.
Vagrant lifestyles were common during the Great Depression.
A vagrant dog roamed the streets for weeks.
Laws restricting vagrant behavior were criticized as discriminatory.
He lived a vagrant existence, traveling from town to town.