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gangrel

noun

gang·​rel ˈgaŋ-(ə-)rəl How to pronounce gangrel (audio)
plural gangrels
Scotland
: vagrant
Wholly a gangrel, he neither worked nor wanted …D. C. Thomson

Word History

Etymology

Middle English (north) & early Scots gangrel, gangerall, probably from gang gang entry 3 + -rel, noun suffix with diminutive or pejorative force (borrowed from Old French -erel, expansion of -el, diminutive suffix, going back to Latin -ellus)

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gangrel was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Gangrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gangrel. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.

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