英文字典中文字典Word104.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Knave \Knave\ (n[=a]v), n. [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, kn[aum]fvel
knave.]
1. A boy; especially, a boy servant. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]

O murderous slumber,
Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy
That plays thee music ? Gentle knave, good night.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]

2. Any male servant; a menial. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]

He's but Fortune's knave,
A minister of her will. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

3. A tricky, deceitful fellow; a dishonest person; a rogue; a
villain. "A pair of crafty knaves." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

In defiance of demonstration, knaves will continue
to proselyte fools. --Ames.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

4. A playing card marked with the figure of a servant or
soldier; a jack; as, the knave of hearts.
[1913 Webster]

{Knave child}, a male child. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Syn: Villain; cheat; rascal; rogue; scoundrel; miscreant.
[1913 Webster]


Varlet \Var"let\, n. [OF. varlet, vaslet, vallet, servant, young
man, young noble, dim. of vassal. See {Vassal}, and cf.
{Valet}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. A servant, especially to a knight; an attendant; a valet;
a footman. [Obs.] --Spenser. Tusser.
[1913 Webster]

2. Hence, a low fellow; a scoundrel; a rascal; as, an
impudent varlet.
[1913 Webster]

What a brazen-faced varlet art thou ! --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

3. In a pack of playing cards, the court card now called the
{knave}, or {jack}. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]