Definitions for knaveneɪv

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

knave^*neɪv(n.)

an unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest person.
(in cards) the jack.
Category: Games
Archaic. a male servant. a man of humble position.

^* Syn: knave , rascal , rogue , scoundrel are disparaging terms applied to persons considered base, dishonest, or unprincipled. knave , which formerly meant a male servant, in modern use emphasizes baseness of nature and intention: a swindling knave. rascal suggests a certain shrewdness and trickery: The rascal ran off with my money. rogue often refers to a worthless person who preys on the community: pictures of criminals in a rogues' gallery. scoundrel , a stronger term, suggests a base, immoral, even wicked person: Those scoundrels finally went to jail. rascal and rogue are often used affectionately or humorously to describe a mischievous person: I'll bet that rascal hid my slippers. The little rogues ate all the cookies.

Origin of knave:

bef. 1000; ME; OE cnafa, c. OHG knabo boy; akin to OE cnapa, OHG knappo

Princeton's WordNet

rogue, knave, rascal, rapscallion, scalawag, scallywag, varlet(noun)
a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
jack, knave(noun)
one of four face cards in a deck bearing a picture of a young prince

Wiktionary

knave(Noun)
A tricky, deceitful fellow; a dishonest person; a rogue; a villain.
knave(Noun)
A playing card marked with the figure of a servant or soldier; a jack.
knave(Noun)
A boy; especially, a boy servant.
knave(Noun)
Any male servant; a menial.

Origin: From knave, from cnafa, from knabô, from gnebʰ-, from gen-. Cognate with Knabe. Related also to knape.

Webster Dictionary

Knave(noun)
a boy; especially, a boy servant
Knave(noun)
any male servant; a menial
Knave(noun)
a tricky, deceitful fellow; a dishonest person; a rogue; a villain
Knave(noun)
a playing card marked with the figure of a servant or soldier; a jack