straggler

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a person or animal that falls behind or becomes separated from a group

   The guide waited at the gate for the last straggler.

2. 2
   noun

   a soldier who has become separated from a marching unit or formation

   A lone straggler rejoined the regiment before nightfall.

3. 3
   noun

   one of a few scattered or late remaining people or things

   A few stragglers stayed after the conference to ask questions.

Formed from straggle + the agent suffix -er, literally 'one that straggles.' Straggle appeared in early modern English for wandering away from a line or group; its deeper origin is uncertain and may be connected with stray.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images