ragged robin
[See robin.]
One of the popular names of a well-known English flower, Lychnis Floscuculi. Also attrib.
| 1741 Compl. Fam.-Piece ii. iii. 401 Lychnis Coronaria, Spiderwort, ragged Robbin. 1777 [see cuckoo-flower]. 1821 Clare Vill. Minstr. II. 133 The ragged-robins by the spinney lake. 1872 Black Adv. Phaeton II. xx. 92 The viscid petals of the Ragged Robin glimmered a bright crimson. 1875 Ruskin Fors Clav. V. 279, I have been quietly drawing ragged-robin leaves. |
b. transf. A ragged person.
| 1826 Scott Woodst. ii, I took thee up when thou wert but a ragged Robin, made a keeper of thee and so forth. 1859 Tennyson Geraint 724 The Prince Hath pick'd a ragged-robin from the hedge, And..brought her to the court. |