Knave
/neɪv/noun
An untrustworthy or dishonest person.
Did you know?In medieval times, a 'knave' was often a servant or a young boy, but by the 16th century, it had morphed into a term for a rogue or scoundrel, reflecting society's growing suspicion of the lower classes.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
knabaz
“boy or young man, often a servant.”
Old English
OE
cnafa
“a young man or a male servant.”
Middle English
ME
knave
“a male servant, boy, or young man.”
14th Century
ME
knave
“a rogue or deceitful person, often used derogatorily.”
16th Century
English
knave
“a person of low character or a scoundrel.”