Slyness
/ˈslaɪ.nəs/noun
The quality of being cunning or deceitful.
Did you know?In medieval times, 'sly' was often associated with witchcraft, where cunning and cleverness were seen as both admirable and suspicious traits.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*slahwaz
“Cunning, cleverness.”
Old English
OE
sly
“Cunning, crafty, deceitful.”
Middle English
ME
slye
“Cunning, artful, clever.”
15th Century
Middle English
slyness
“The quality of being cunning or deceitful, often with a hint of trickery.”
Modern English
English
slyness
“The state of being sly; cunning in a deceitful manner.”