online medical dictionary | definition of knave

1. A boy; especially, a boy servant. "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. "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." "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 !"

4. A playing card marked with the figure of a servant or soldier; a jack. Knave child, a male child.

Synonyms: Villain, cheat, rascal, rogue, scoundrel, miscreant.

Origin: OE, boy, servant, knave, AS. Cnafa boy, youth; cf. AS. Cnapa boy, youth, D. Knap, G. Knabe boy, knappe esquire, Icel. Knapi, Sw. Knape esquire, knafvel knave.

(01 Mar 1998)