I. ˌtad.ə(r)də̇ˈmālyən, -atə(-, -dēˈ-, -ˈmal-, -lēən noun
( -s )
Etymology: tatter (I) + -demalion, of unknown origin
: a person dressed in ragged clothing : one who is disreputable in appearance : ragamuffin , scarecrow
II. adjective
1.
a. : ragged or disreputable in dress or appearance
tatterdemalion and careless in dress, with unpolished boots, baggy trousers, and shapeless cloth cap — Vernon Leonard
b. : being in a decayed state or condition : broken-down , dilapidated
the old tatterdemalion farmhouse — Theodore Dreiser
2. : beggarly , disreputable
the most tatterdemalion party ever seen in American politics — H.L.Mencken