online medical dictionary | definition of haggard

1. Wild or intractable; disposed to break away from duty; untamed; as, a haggard or refractory hawk.

2. [For hagged, fr. Hag a witch, influenced by haggard wild] Having the expression of one wasted by want or suffering; hollow-eyed; having the features distorted or wasted, or anxious in appearance; as, haggard features, eyes. "Staring his eyes, and haggard was his look." (Dryden)

Origin: F. Hagard; of German origin, and prop. Meaning, of the hegde or woods, wild, untamed. See Hedge, 1st Haw, and -ard.

1. <veterinary> A young or untrained hawk or falcon.

2. A fierce, intractable creature. "I have loved this proud disdainful haggard." (Shak)

3. [See Haggard, 2] A hag.

See: Haggard.

(01 Mar 1998)