Hypertext Webster Gateway: "knave"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Knave \Knave\, n. [OE., boy, servant, knave, AS. cnafa boy,
youth; cf. AS. cnapa boy, youth, D. kna?p, G. knabe boy,
knappe esquire, Icel. knapi, Sw. knape esquire, kn["a]fvel
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.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

knave
n 1: a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel [syn: {rogue}, {rascal},
{rapscallion}, {scalawag}, {scallywag}, {varlet}]
2: one of four face cards in a deck bearing a picture of a
young prince [syn: {jack}]

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