Shăb'by, a.
a. [compar. SHABBIER; superl. SHABBIEST.] [D. schabbig, schabberig, H. Ger. schäbig, from schaben, to shave, scratch, schabe, a shaving tool, a scab. Cf. SCABBY and SCAB.]
- Torn or worn to rags; poor; mean; ragged. “The necessity of wearing shabby coats and dirty shirts.” Macaulay.
- Clothed with ragged or soiled garments. “The dean was so shabby.” Swift.
- Mean; paltry; despicable; as, shabby treatment. “Very shabby fellows.” Clarendon.