Knave
1. A boy; especially, a boy servant. O murderous slumber, Lay’st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy That plays thee music ? Gentle knave, good night. (Shak)
2. Any male servant; a menial. He’s but Fortune’s knave, a minister of her will. (Shak)
3. A tricky, deceitful fellow; a dishonest person; a rogue; a villain. A pair of crafty knaves. In defiance of demonstration, knaves will continue to proselyte fools. (Ames)
How many serving lads must have been unfaithful and dishonest before knave -which meant at first no more than boy acquired the meaning which it has now !
4. A playing card marked with the figure of a servant or soldier; a jack. Knave child, a male child.
Synonym: villain, cheat, rascal, rogue, scoundrel, miscreant.
Origin: oe, boy, servant, knave, as. Cnafa boy, youth; cf. As. Cnapa boy, youth, D. Knap, g. Knabe boy, knappe esquire, Icel. Knapi, Sw. Knape esquire, knafvel knave.
Dictionary > Knave
You will also like...

The Conscious & Unconscious Nervous System
This tutorial elaborates on how the nervous system works, particularly at the tissue level of the brain. There are three..

Examples of Natural Selection
Darwin's Finches are an example of natural selection in action. They are an excellent example of the way species' gene p..

Sensory Systems
A sensory system is a part of the nervous system consisting of sensory receptors that receive stimuli from the internal ..

Still Water Community Plants
This tutorial looks at the adaptations of freshwater plants for them to thrive in still water habitats. Familiarize your..

Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes
Learn about the general structure of a eukaryotic gene, the transcription factors, and post-transcriptional regulation....

Physical Development in Humans
This tutorial elaborates on the physical development of humans, particularly from puberty to adulthood. Read this tutori..