from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Shabby \Shab"by\, a. [Compar. {Shabbier}; superl. {Shabbiest}.]
[See {Shab}, n., {Scabby}, and {Scab}.]
1. Torn or worn to rage; poor; mean; ragged.
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Wearing shabby coats and dirty shirts. --Macaulay.
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2. Clothed with ragged, much worn, or soiled garments. "The
dean was so shabby." --Swift.
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3. Mean; paltry; despicable; as, shabby treatment. "Very
shabby fellows." --Clarendon.
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