ragdoll
ragdoll Lexical Profile
ragdoll Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A children's toy made from stuffed cloth scraps, typically featuring soft, limp, and unjointed limbs.
"The toddler dragged her favorite ragdoll by its yarn hair across the living room floor."
A large, long-haired breed of domestic cat characterized by a colorpoint coat and striking blue eyes, originating in the United States and renowned for its docile temperament and tendency to go limp when picked up.
"Because of its gentle and affectionate nature, the Ragdoll is considered an ideal indoor companion for families."
• verb
To collapse, fall, or be thrown around limply with a complete loss of muscle control, resembling the flaccid motion of a cloth toy.
"After taking a heavy tackle from the defender, the quarterback ragdolled to the turf."
Word Origin & Etymology
Originated in the mid-19th century as a compound of 'rag' and 'doll' to describe homemade cloth toys. In the 1960s, it was adopted as the name of a cat breed noted for its limp posture when held. By the late 1990s, it evolved into a verb derived from 'ragdoll physics' in video game design.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.