knave

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Related to knave: Knave of Hearts

knave

unprincipled, dishonest person; villain

Not to be confused with:

nave – the center part of a church

knave

(nāv)

1. An unprincipled, crafty fellow.

a. A male servant.

b. A man of humble birth.

3. Games See jack.

[Middle English, from Old English cnafa, boy, male servant.]

knav′ish adj.

knav′ish·ly adv.

knav′ish·ness n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

knave

(neɪv)

1. archaic a dishonest man; rogue

2. (Card Games) another word for jack¹⁶

3. obsolete a male servant

[Old English cnafa; related to Old High German knabo boy]

ˈknavish adj

ˈknavishly adv

ˈknavishness n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

knave

(neɪv)

n.

1. an unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest person.

2. (in cards) the jack.

3. Archaic.

a. a male servant.

b. a man of humble position.

[before 1000; Middle English; Old English cnafa, c. Old High German knabo boy; akin to Old English cnapa, Old High German knappo]

syn: knave, rascal, rogue, scoundrel are disparaging terms applied to persons considered base, dishonest, or unprincipled. knave, which formerly meant a male servant, in modern use emphasizes baseness of nature and intention: a swindling knave. rascal suggests a certain shrewdness and trickery: The rascal ran off with my money. rogue often refers to a worthless person who preys on the community: pictures of criminals in a rogues' gallery. scoundrel, a stronger term, suggests a base, immoral, even wicked person: Those scoundrels finally went to jail. rascal and rogue are often used affectionately or humorously to describe a mischievous person: I'll bet that rascal hid my slippers. The little rogues ate all the cookies.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun	1.	knave - a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel rapscallion, rascal, rogue, varlet, scalawag, scallywag scoundrel, villain - a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately
	2.	knave - one of four face cards in a deck bearing a picture of a young prince jack court card, face card, picture card - one of the twelve cards in a deck bearing a picture of a face

knave

noun (Archaic) rogue, cheat, villain, rascal, scoundrel, scally (Northwest English dialect), swindler, bounder (old-fashioned Brit. slang), rotter (slang, chiefly Brit.), reprobate, scallywag (informal), scumbag (slang), scamp, blackguard, cocksucker (taboo slang), scapegrace, rapscallion, varlet (archaic) It is difficult to believe that he is such a knave behind my back.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

ماكِر، خَدّاع

knægt

Bauer Bube Knabe Knappe

gosi

kalps

knave

[neɪv] N (Hist) → bellaco m, bribón m (Cards) → valet m; (in Spanish pack) → sota f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

knave

[ˈneɪv] n → valet m

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

knave

(old) → Bube m (old), → Schurke m

(Brit Cards) → Bube m, → Unter m (old)

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

knave

[neɪv] n (old) → furfante m (Cards) → fante m

knave

(neiv) noun

a jack in a pack of playing-cards. the knave of diamonds.

Mentioned in ?

References in classic literature ?

Messieurs the sergeants of the mace, you will take me this knave to the pillory of the Grève, you will flog him, and turn him for an hour.

"I believe the knave said ' Ventre Dieu ' Clerk, add twelve deniers Parisian for the oath, and let the vestry of Saint Eustache have the half of it; I have a particular devotion for Saint Eustache."

The provost addressed him with severity, "What have you done that you have been brought hither, knave?"

View in context

``But it does not please me, thou knave,'' said Cedric, ``that I should be made to suppose otherwise for two hours, and sit here devising vengeance against my neighbours for wrongs they have not done me.

Go to, knave, go to thy place and thou, Gurth, get thee another dog, and should the keeper dare to touch it, I will mar his archery; the curse of a coward on my head, if I strike not off the forefinger of his right hand!

View in context

Then followed the Knave of Hearts, carrying the King's crown on a crimson velvet cushion; and, last of all this grand procession, came THE KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS.

When the procession came opposite to Alice, they all stopped and looked at her, and the Queen said severely `Who is this?' She said it to the Knave of Hearts, who only bowed and smiled in reply.

View in context

She could not forget that she was a princess, and that she had been forced to wed a low-born kitchen knave. But one night, as she lay in bed weeping, an angel appeared to her and bade her sorrow no more, for it was no scullion that she had wed, but a king's son.

And thinking to bring shame on Goldboru, and wed her with a kitchen knave, he sent for Havelok.

View in context

Fourscore bright angels hath the Sheriff promised me if I serve the warrant upon the knave's body, and ten of them will I give to thee if thou showest me him."

"Ho, landlord!" cried he, "whither hath that knave gone that was with me but now?"

View in context

"The Emperor was surprised at this bold proposal, however it appeared the wisest to him; 'You are a knave he replied after a moment's consideration, however your advice is good, and displays prudence, as your offense shows adventurous courage.