Knave

Quick meaning: Knave is a noun meaning (card games) A playing card marked with the figure of a servant or a soldier.

Meaning

(card games) A playing card marked with the figure of a servant or a soldier.

More Meanings

1. (archaic) A boy; especially, a boy servant.
2. (archaic) Any male servant; a menial.
3. (dated) A tricky, deceitful fellow; a dishonest person.

Example Sentences

I had never defrauded a man of a farthing, nor called him knave behind his back. But now the last rag that covered my nakedness had been torn from me. I was branded a blackleg, card-sharper, and murderer.

God's bones! Whenever I go to beat those knaves / my tapsters, out she [my wife] comes with clubs and staves, / "Go on!" she screams — and it's a caterwaul — / "You kill those dogs! Break back and bones and all!"

Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave that, doting on his own obsequious bondage, wears out his time, much like his master's ass, For naught but provender, and when he's old – cashier'd! Whip me such honest knaves.

I could plainly diſcover from whence one Family derives a long Chin; why a ſecond hath abounded with Knaves for two Generations, and Fools for two more; why a third happened to be crack-brained, and a fourth to be Sharpers.

Word Forms

• knaves

Synonyms for knave

Depending on context, synonyms include rogue, villain, antimodel, baddie, bastard, beggar.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include varlet, rapscallion, rogue, rascal, scallywag, scalawag.

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