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rascal

[ ras-kuhl ]
/ ˈræs kəl /
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noun
a base, dishonest, or unscrupulous person.
a mischievous person or animal: That child is a real rascal.
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Origin of rascal

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English rascaile, raskaille, from Old French rascaille “rabble”; perhaps akin to rash2

synonym study for rascal

1. See knave.

OTHER WORDS FROM rascal

ras·cal·like, adjective

Words nearby rascal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rascal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rascal

rascal
/ (ˈrɑːskəl) /

noun
a disreputable person; villain
a mischievous or impish rogue
an affectionate or mildly reproving term for a child or old manyou little rascal; the wicked old rascal kissed her
obsolete a person of lowly birth
adjective
(prenominal) obsolete
  1. belonging to the mob or rabble
  2. dishonest; knavish

Word Origin for rascal

C14: from Old French rascaille rabble, perhaps from Old Norman French rasque mud, filth
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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