Caitiff: meaning, definitions and examples
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caitiff
[ ˈkeɪtɪf ]
insulting term
A caitiff is a person who is considered cowardly or despicable. This term is often used in a literary or historical context to describe someone lacking in moral integrity. The word exudes a sense of contempt towards the target, emphasizing their untrustworthiness and ignoble character. It is rarely used in modern language, but it can convey a strong negative sentiment when employed in a sentence.
Synonyms
coward, despicable person, rascal, scoundrel
Examples of usage
- The caitiff fled the battlefield, leaving his companions to fight alone.
- She dismissed his threats as the empty words of a caitiff.
- History judges caitiffs who betray their country.
- In the novel, the villain is portrayed as a caitiff with no regard for others.
Translations
Translations of the word "caitiff" in other languages:
🇵🇹 caitiff
- vilão
- covarde
🇮🇳 कायर
- दुष्ट
- कायरता
🇩🇪 Schurke
- Feigling
- niederträchtig
🇮🇩 pengecut
- penjahat
- pengecutan
🇺🇦 негодяй
- підлий
- боягуз
🇵🇱 nikczemnik
- tchórz
- podły
🇯🇵 卑怯者
- 悪党
- 臆病者
🇫🇷 lâche
- scélérat
- traître
🇪🇸 cobarde
- villano
- traidor
🇹🇷 korkak
- hain
- alçak
🇰🇷 비겁한 자
- 악당
- 겁쟁이
🇸🇦 جبان
- خائن
- حقير
🇨🇿 zbabělec
- darebák
- podlý
🇸🇰 zbabranec
- darebák
- podlý
🇨🇳 懦夫
- 恶棍
- 胆小鬼
🇸🇮 kavč
- zločinec
- podlo
🇮🇸 feigull
- skúrkur
- óþokki
🇰🇿 қорқақ
- жауыз
- жағымсыз
🇬🇪 ბოროტი
- coward
- მტყუან
🇦🇿 qarğa
- xain
- qorxaqlıq
🇲🇽 cobarde
- villano
- traidor
Word origin
The word 'caitiff' originates from the Old French term 'katif', which means 'unfortunate' or 'wretched'. It was derived from the Latin word 'captivus', meaning 'captive' or 'taken'. In its evolution through the languages, 'caitiff' began to take on connotations of cowardice and ignobility, distancing itself from its original interpretation of mere misfortune. Historically, the term often appeared in medieval literature and later came to be associated with treachery and dishonor. By the time it was incorporated into English, it often described individuals regarded as shameful or contemptible. Today, its usage is rare, primarily found in archaic or poetic contexts, reflecting attitudes towards cowardice and moral failing.