I. ˈsləvən sometimes -läv- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English sloveyn, of Flemish or Low German origin; akin to Flemish sloovin gossip, woman of low character, Low German sluffen to walk in a bedraggled manner, sluf loose, slack — more at slobber
1. : one habitually negligent of neatness or cleanliness especially in dress or person : one of extremely untidy habits
local sloven , who has since washed up, cleaned up — John Ciardi
no slouchy sloven is he, but a scholar and a gentleman — W.A.White
2. : one who is exceedingly lazy and slipshod in any way
the difference between the unpunctual slacker and sloven and the model servant is very perceptible — G.B.Shaw
a sloven in speech
II. adjective
1. : slovenly
jargon … often ends as a sloven substitute for freshness and accuracy of statement — Dixon Wecter
2. : uncultivated , undeveloped
in this great sloven continent — Van Wyck Brooks