Meaning of Laggard | Babel Free

Definitions

One who lags behind; one who takes more time than is necessary or than the others in a group.

Equivalents

Examples

“1733, William Havard, Scanderbeg: A Tragedy, London: J. Watts, Act II, Scene 4, p. 17, Blushing I look⟳ upon my poor Resolves, A Laggard in the Race⟳, and faintly striving To follow⟳ Excellence that soars so high.”

““Late come⟳, late served, Mabel,” said her uncle, between mouthfuls of broiled salmon; […] “late come⟳, late served; it is a good rule⟳, and keeps laggards up to their work⟳.” ¶ “I am no laggard, Uncle; for I have⟳ been stirring nearly an hour, and exploring our island.””

“1891, Rudyard Kipling, Letters of Marque, New York & Boston: H.M. Caldwell, 1899, Chapter 12, p. 141, The State line, with the comparatively new branch to the Pachbadra salt-pits, pays handsomely, and is exactly suited to the needs of its users. True, there is a certain haziness as to the hour of starting, but this allows laggards more time, and fills the packed carriages to overflowing.”

“It rose as one watched it; if one looked away from it for a minute and then back, its outline had changed; it thrust out blunt congested branches until in a little time it rose a coralline shape⟳ of many feet in height. Compared with such a growth the terrestrial puff-ball, which will sometimes swell a foot in diameter in a single night, would be a hopeless laggard.”

“It was 72 years ago when a French psychologist named Alfred Binet first devised a test⟳ that attempted to measure⟳ a child's intelligence. Seeking a way to distinguish truly retarded students from laggards with hidden ability, Binet developed a series of exercises involving completion of pictures and the assembling of objects, as well as problems in math, vocabulary and reasoning.”

“Canada and Ontario must bolster international trade⟳ with both the European Union and emerging economies like⟳ China in order⟳ shake⟳ our reputation as innovation laggards, says a new report⟳.”

“Residential property prices in the United States climbed at their fastest pace in five months in October, suggesting that the housing market, a laggard of the economy, is gaining steam.”

CEFR level