Worn out, quiet cat dropping head (6)

I believe the answer is:

shabby

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'worn' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'out quiet cat dropping head' is the wordplay.
'out quiet' becomes 'sh' (I am not sure about the 'out' bit.).
'cat' becomes 'tabby' (tabby is a kind of cat).
'dropping head' means to remove the first letter.
'tabby' with its first letter removed is 'abby'.
'sh'+'abby'='SHABBY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for shabby that I've seen before include "Old and worn - mean" , "Dingy - dirty" , "Worn and run-down, like clothes" , "Threadbare - despicable" , "'Scruffy, tattered (6)'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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