Dictionary definitions
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knave
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
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O murderous slumber,
Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy
That plays thee music ? Gentle knave, good night.
--Shak.
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2. Any male servant; a menial. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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He's but Fortune's knave,
A minister of her will. --Shak.
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3. A tricky, deceitful fellow; a dishonest person; a rogue; a
villain. "A pair of crafty knaves." --Shak.
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In defiance of demonstration, knaves will continue
to proselyte fools. --Ames.
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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.
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4. A playing card marked with the figure of a servant or
soldier; a jack; as, the knave of hearts.
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Knave child, a male child. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Syn: Villain; cheat; rascal; rogue; scoundrel; miscreant.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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]
