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

He was charged with vagrancy instead and sentenced to six months in jail.

From Voice of San Diego

Vagrancy, with its great evils, would have been prevented, and the passing of the Poor laws would have been unnecessary.

From Project Gutenberg

We are meditating flight to Italy when my present work is done, as our last bit of vagrancy for a long, long while.

From Project Gutenberg

In the records of the Middle Ages enactments for the suppression and ordering of vagrancy continually occur.

From Project Gutenberg

Grif was stronger now, and having relapsed into vagrancy, felt himself at liberty to indulge his organ of combativeness.

From Project Gutenberg

And then I think of the strange and winding paths, the weary roads he has traveled from that mother's arms to vagrancy and want.

From Project Gutenberg