KNAVE

jack, knave

(noun) one of four face cards in a deck bearing a picture of a young prince

rogue, knave, rascal, rapscallion, scalawag, scallywag, varlet

(noun) a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

knave (plural knaves)

(archaic) A boy; especially, a boy servant.

(archaic) Any male servant; a menial.

A tricky, deceitful fellow; a dishonest person.

Synonyms: rogue, villain

(cards) A playing card marked with the figure of a servant or soldier; a jack.

Synonyms

• See also villain

Anagrams

• Kevan, Vanek

Source: Wiktionary

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Knave, n. Etym: [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, knäfvel knave.]

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 Edition

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