Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Knave
Knave
(nāv)
, Noun.
[OE., boy, servant, knave, AS.
cnafa
boy, youth; cf. AS. cnapa
boy, youth, D. knaap
, 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
Lay’st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy
That plays thee music ? Gentle
knave
, good night. Shakespeare
2.
Any male servant; a menial.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
He's but Fortune's
A minister of her will.
knave
,A minister of her will.
Shakespeare
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.
☞ “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;
as, the
. knave
of hearts
Syn. – Villain; cheat; rascal; rogue; scoundrel; miscreant.
Webster 1828 Edition
Knave
KNAVE
,Noun.
1.
A boy; a man-child.2.
A servant.3.
A false deceitful fellow; a dishonest man or boy. In defiance of demonstration, knaves will continue to proselyte fools.
4.
A card with a soldier painted on it.