gangling, ppl. a.
(ˈgæŋglɪŋ)
[f. as if *gangle to go about, straggle, frequentative f. gang v.1: cf. gangrel.]
Of straggling growth; loosely built.
| 1808–25 Jamieson, Ganglin, straggling. Roxb. 1843 Alb. Smith Phys. Evening Parties, She sends her two brothers, tall, gangling, awkward young men. 1847–78 Halliwell, Gangling, tall, slender, delicate, generally applied to plants. Warw. 1881 Leicestersh. Gloss., Gangling, awkwardly long in stature; ill-made and uncouth. 1893 Harper's Mag. LXXXVII. 155/1 The long-legged, gangling sheriff retired. 1935 A. Squire Sing Sing Doctor v. 63 Tall and gangling, Fay had a long-jawed horse face. 1943 C. S. Forester Ship 176 Tall and gangling and clean-shaven. 1953 ‘N. Shute’ In Wet x. 350 A black haired, lean, gangling lad of twenty. 1955 Times 18 Dec. 3/2 The massive gangling figure of Mr ― hurtled out of his room. |