abgegriffen
Translation
worn-out, shabby, trite, hackneyed
Examples
Das Buch ist alt und abgegriffen.
The book is old and worn-out.
Sein Witz war ziemlich abgegriffen.
His joke was rather trite.
Grammar Patterns
to be ((something)) The book is worn-out.
Similar Words
Synonyms: abgenutzt, verschlissen; Antonyms: neu, frisch
Etymology
From 'ab-' (off, away) and 'gegriffen', the past participle of 'greifen' (to grip, grab). Literally 'gripped off', meaning worn away from being handled.
Memory Tips
Imagine a steering wheel that has been 'gripped' (gegriffen) so much that the surface has worn 'off' (ab-).