knavery

American  

[ney-vuh-ree] / ˈneɪ və ri /

noun

plural

knaveries

1. action or practice characteristic of a knave.

2. unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest dealing; trickery.

3. a knavish act or practice.

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knavery British  

/ ˈneɪvərɪ /

noun

1. a deceitful or dishonest act

2. dishonest conduct; trickery

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Etymology

Origin of knavery

First recorded in 1520–30; knave + -ery

Explanation

The quality of acting like a villain or a rascal is knavery. You'll know that knavery happened last night if you wake to find toilet paper strung from the branches of your trees. The noun knavery comes from knave, an old-fashioned word meaning "rascal or rogue." Shakespeare was especially famous for using knave as an insult, and knavery reflects this sense of a foolish and terrible person who's up to no good. Dirty political tricks can be called knavery, as can rascally practical jokes, and even wickedness, dishonesty, and cruelty.

Example Sentences

Knavery hath got somewhat of the upper hand since they have quit crossing swords in this new piece of Nimeguen.

From Rob of the Bowl, Vol. I (of 2) A Legend of St. Inigoe's by Kennedy, John P.

Knavery and folly, though never so exorbitant, will more easily meet with assent; for ill-nature adds great support and strength to faith.

From History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry

Roguery, Knavery, to keep me from my Wife—Look ye, this was the Message I receiv'd.

From The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume III by Summers, Montague

There is nothing so base, with which Knavery and a furious Zeal can inspire a Party, but what has been said and written on these Subjects.

From The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume II Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels From Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts. by P?llnitz, Karl Ludwig von

Taylor's reply, which came out in 1699, was entitled Popery, Superstition, Ignorance, and Knavery Confess'd and fully Proved on the Surey Dissenters....

From A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558 to 1718 by Notestein, Wallace

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