knave

knave

noun \ˈnāv\

Definition of KNAVE

1

archaic

a : a boy servant

b : a male servant

c : a man of humble birth or position

2

: a tricky deceitful fellow

3

: jack 6a

Examples of KNAVE

1. <he plays the role of the duplicitous knave who tries to foil the play's hero>

Origin of KNAVE

Middle English, from Old English cnafa; akin to Old High German knabo boy

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to KNAVE

Synonyms

baddie (or baddy), beast, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend, heavy, hound, villain, meanie (also meany), miscreant, monster, nazi, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, savage, scalawag (or scallywag), scamp, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, wretch

Related Words

villainess; blackguard; criminal, crook, culprit, felon, lawbreaker, malefactor, offender, perp, perpetrator, transgressor; sinner, trespasser, wrongdoer; cad, heel, serpent, snake, viper; bandit, bravo, desperado, outlaw; con, convict, jailbird; assassin, cutthroat, gangster, goon, gunman, hoodlum, hooligan, racketeer, ruffian, thug; rough, rowdy, tough; loser, lowlife, ne'er-do-well, stinker, trash

Near Antonyms

angel, innocent, saint; hero

Rhymes with KNAVE

brave, cave, clave, crave, fave, glaive, grave, lave, nave, pave, rave, save, shave, slave, stave, waive, wave, Wave