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knave
[ neyv ]
/ neɪv /
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Definition of knave
noun
an unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest person.
Cards. jack1 (def. 2).
Archaic.
- a male servant.
- a man of humble position.
OTHER WORDS FOR knave
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Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
Origin of knave
First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English cnafa; cognate with German Knabe “boy”; akin to Old Norse knapi “page, boy”
synonym study for knave
1. Knave, rascal, rogue, scoundrel are disparaging terms applied to persons considered base, dishonest, or worthless. Knave, which formerly meant merely a boy or servant, in modern use emphasizes baseness of nature and intention: a dishonest and swindling knave. Rascal suggests shrewdness and trickery in dishonesty: a plausible rascal. A rogue is a worthless fellow who sometimes preys extensively upon the community by fraud: photographs of criminals in a rogues' gallery. A scoundrel is a blackguard and rogue of the worst sort: a thorough scoundrel. Rascal and rogue are often used affectionately or humorously ( an entertaining rascal; a saucy rogue ), but knave and scoundrel are not.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH knave
knave , naveWords nearby knave
knapsack, knapsack problem, knapweed, knar, knarly, knave, knavery, knavish, knawel, knead, kneaded butter
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use knave in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for knave
knave
/ (neɪv) /
noun
Derived forms of knave
knavish, adjectiveknavishly, adverbknavishness, nounWord Origin for knave
Old English cnafa; related to Old High German knabo boy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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