Knavish: meaning, definitions and examples
๐คฅ
knavish
[ หneษช.vษชส ]
describing behavior
The term 'knavish' refers to behavior that is deceitful, dishonest, or unscrupulous. It often describes someone who is mischievous in a malicious or cunning way. A knavish person might engage in trickery or dishonesty for personal gain, displaying a lack of integrity. This word can convey a sense of untrustworthiness that is often associated with characters who are rogue or cunning.
Synonyms
cunning, deceitful, dishonest, rogue, sly.
Examples of usage
- He had a knavish grin that suggested he was up to no good.
- The knavish schemes of the villain kept the townsfolk on edge.
- She dismissed his knavish tactics as mere child's play.
- In the story, the knavish protagonist ultimately outsmarted his rivals.
Translations
Translations of the word "knavish" in other languages:
๐ต๐น trapaceiro
๐ฎ๐ณ เคงเฅเคฐเฅเคค
๐ฉ๐ช schurkisch
๐ฎ๐ฉ licik
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟัะดัััะฟะฝะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ knacki
๐ฏ๐ต ็ก็พใช
๐ซ๐ท malhonnรชte
๐ช๐ธ deshonesto
๐น๐ท sahtekar
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ตํํ
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ุญุชุงู
๐จ๐ฟ podvodnickรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ podvodnรญcky
๐จ๐ณ ็ก่ฏ็
๐ธ๐ฎ prevarantski
๐ฎ๐ธ svikull
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฐะปะฐัา
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแแแ แแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ dษlษduz
๐ฒ๐ฝ deshonesto
Etymology
The word 'knavish' originates from the Middle English term 'knave,' which once simply meant 'boy' or 'servant.' Over time, the connotation of the word evolved, taking on more negative attributes to refer to a male servant or someone of low status who was perceived as deceitful or unscrupulous. The root can be traced further back to Old Norse 'knappr,' meaning 'boy' or 'youth,' which implies the notion of a young man who might engage in trickster behavior. The suffix '-ish' indicates a quality of, or belonging to, thus 'knavish' denotes a trait characteristic of a knave. This evolution reflects societal views on integrity and morality, leading to the modern definition that emphasizes trickery and cunning. Today, 'knavish' is often used in literary contexts to describe characters that embody craftiness or deceptive qualities, making it a useful descriptor in narratives of intrigue and villainy.