haggard Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun British writer noted for romantic adventure novels (1856-1925)
Sir Henry Rider Haggard; Rider Haggard.
adjective satellite showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
careworn; raddled; worn; drawn.
- looking careworn as she bent over her mending
- her face was drawn and haggard from sleeplessness
- that raddled but still noble face
- shocked to see the worn look of his handsome young face"- Charles Dickens
adjective satellite very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
pinched; bony; emaciated; cadaverous; gaunt; skeletal; wasted.
- emaciated bony hands
- a nightmare population of gaunt men and skeletal boys
- eyes were haggard and cavernous
- small pinched faces
- kept life in his wasted frame only by grim concentration

F. hagard; of German origin, and prop. meaning, of the hegde or woods, wild, untamed. See Hedge, 1st Haw, and -ard.

Wild or intractable; disposed to break away from duty; untamed; as, a haggard or refractory hawk. Obs. Shak
For hagged, fr. hag a witch, influenced by haggard wild. Having the expression of one wasted by want or suffering; hollow-eyed; having the features distorted or wasted, or anxious in appearance; as, haggard features, eyes.
Staring his eyes, and haggard was his look. Dryden.

See Haggard, a.

(Falconry) A young or untrained hawk or falcon.
A fierce, intractable creature.
I have loved this proud disdainful haggard. Shak.
See Haggard, a., 2. A hag. Obs. Garth.