Knāve, n.
(nāv), n. [A-S. cnapa, or cnafa, offspring, boy, youth, Ger. knabe, knappe, Icel. knapi, knappr, Sw. knape, D. knaap; Sw. knäfvel, knave; originally a boy or young man, then a servant, and lastly a rogue.]
Sense 1. A boy; a man-child. [Obs.] Wycliffe.
O murderous slumber, Lay’st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy That plays thee music? Gentle knave, good-night. Shak.
Sense 2. A servant. [Obs.]
He’s but Fortune’s knave, A minister of her will. Shak.
Sense 3. A false, deceitful fellow; a dishonest person; a rascal; a villain. “A pair of crafty knaves.” Shak.
In defiance of demonstration, knaves will continue to proselyte fools. Ames.
Sense 4. One of a set of playing cards marked with the figure of a servant or soldier; a jack.
☞ “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.