tattered

What it means

1. not comparableRent 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

   Synonyms: raggedy, ragtag, tatterdemalion

2. not comparableDressed in tatters or rags; ragged.

   The tattered man waved his hand.

   1895 October, Stephen Crane, chapter X, in The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC, page 101

   1 more example

   This is the Prieſt all ſhaven and ſhorn, that married the man all tattered and torn[.]

   1784, The House that Jack Built, page 8

   Synonyms: raggy, bedraggled, blowsy, dishevelled, dowdy, dowdyish, down at heel, downgone

3. not comparableobsoleteDilapidated; showing gaps or breaks; jagged; broken.

   Synonyms: clapped out, damaged, defective, deteriorated, dilapidated, effete, faulty, munted

In a sentence

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

Where it comes from

1. Old Norsetǫturr
2. Middle Englishtatered
3. Englishtattered

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.