'Ragged school' definitions:

Definition of 'Ragged school'

From: GCIDE
  • Ragged \Rag"ged\ (r[a^]g"g[e^]d), a. [From Rag, n.]
  • 1. Rent or worn into tatters, or till the texture is broken; as, a ragged coat; a ragged sail. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Broken with rough edges; having jags; uneven; rough; jagged; as, ragged rocks. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Hence, harsh and disagreeable to the ear; dissonant. [R.] "A ragged noise of mirth." --Herbert. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Wearing tattered clothes; as, a ragged fellow. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Rough; shaggy; rugged. [1913 Webster]
  • What shepherd owns those ragged sheep? --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • Ragged lady (Bot.), the fennel flower ({Nigella Damascena}).
  • Ragged robin (Bot.), a plant of the genus Lychnis (Lychnis Flos-cuculi), cultivated for its handsome flowers, which have the petals cut into narrow lobes.
  • Ragged sailor (Bot.), prince's feather ({Polygonum orientale}).
  • Ragged school, a free school for poor children, where they are taught and in part fed; -- a name given at first because they came in their common clothing. [Eng.] [1913 Webster] -- {Rag"ged*ly}, adv. -- {Rag"ged*ness}, n. [1913 Webster] Raggie