straggler

noun

strag·​gler -g(ə)lə(r) 

plural -s

: one that rambles without settled direction: such as

a

obsolete : vagabond, tramp

b

: one that is separated by wandering off in some irregular manner from others

crop the stragglers in the hedge

c

: one that departs from the company to which he belongs or from the direct or proper course (such as a bird that strays out of its usual range)

sent a crew to round up the stragglers from the herd

d(1)

: a soldier who wanders from his unit on the march or from the area assigned his unit

(2)

: a man who has been an unauthorized absentee from naval service for more than 72 hours but who has not been absent long enough to have been declared a deserter

Word History

Etymology

straggle entry 1 + -er

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