tattered

Etymology

From Middle English tatered, tatird, from Old Norse tǫturr. Originally, it was derived from the noun, but it was later reanalysed as a past participle (tatter + -ed), whereafter the verb came into being. Compare tatter.

adj

1. Rent in tatters, torn, hanging in rags; ragged.
   The chattering, irrational brute of the subconscious clothes itself in the tattered garments of rationality and idealism. 1919, Boris Sidis, The Source and Aim of Human Progress
2. Dressed in tatters or rags; ragged.
   This is the Prieſt all ſhaven and ſhorn, that married the man all tattered and torn[.] 1784, The House that Jack Built, page 8
3. (obsolete) Dilapidated; showing gaps or breaks; jagged; broken.

verb

1. simple past and past participle of tatter