vagrancy

[ vey-gruhn-see ]

noun

, plural va·gran·cies.

1. the state or condition of being a vagrant:

   an arrest for vagrancy.

2. the conduct of a vagrant.
3. mental wandering; reverie.

vagrancy

/ ˈveɪɡrənsɪ /

noun

1. the state or condition of being a vagrant
2. the conduct or mode of living of a vagrant

Other Words From

• non·vagran·cy noun plural nonvagrancies

Word History and Origins

Origin of vagrancy¹

First recorded in 1635–45; vagr(ant) + -ancy

Example Sentences

The Thirteenth Amendment's loophole was first exploited during the wake of the Civil War with “Black Codes” laws enabling the arrest of Black Americans for vague offenses like “vagrancy” and forcing them into involuntary servitude.

From Salon

These were designed to limit the freedom of African Americans and to ensure cheap labor by broadly drawn vagrancy statutes that facilitated local authorities arresting freed people and subjecting them to involuntary labor.

From Salon

The story takes place during a season of vagrancy in Jacqueline’s life, tracking her efforts to find shelter and enough food to keep from fainting.

From New York Times

Many were jailed for petty offenses like loitering and vagrancy.

From Seattle Times

Additionally, there were more examples of birds getting lost while migrating, a phenomenon known as migratory bird vagrancy.

From Salon