WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Knave
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE., boy, servant, knave, AS. cnafa boy, youth; cf. AS. cnapa boy, youth, D. kna, G. knabe boy, knappe esquire, Icel. knapi, Sw. knape esquire, kn?fvel knave.]
Definition : 1. A boy; especially, a boy servant. [Obs.] Wyclif. Chaucer. O murderous slumber, Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy That plays thee music Gentle knave, good night. Shak.

2. Any male servant; a menial. [Obs.] Chaucer. He's but Fortune's knave, A minister of her will. Shak.

3. A tricky, deceitful fellow; a dishonest person; a rogue; a villain. "A pair of crafty knaves." Shak. In defiance of demonstration, knaves will continue to proselyte fools. Ames.

Note: "How many serving lads must have been unfaithful and dishonest before knave -which meant at first no more than boy -- acquired the meaning which it has now !" Trench.

4. A playing card marked with the figure of a servant or soldier; a jack. Knave child, a male child. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Syn. -- Villain; cheat; rascal; rogue; scoundrel; miscreant.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913