ragamuffin, raga muff i an

& a. [Etym. doubtful. Rag am of in was the name of a demon in some of the old mystery-plays.] A. As subst.: A mean, paltry fellow. "Be not afraid, lady, to speak to these rude ragamuffins . There's nothing shall offend you."-Dryden: Don Sebas tían, iv. 2. B. As adj.: Ragged, vulgar. "Mr. Aldworth turned over the rest of this ragamufin a embly to the care of his butler."-Graves: Spiritual Quixote, bk. viii., ch. xxiii.