Knave

A dishonest or unscrupulous man; a deceitful and untrustworthy person. The term often suggests a low moral character, a willingness to engage in trickery or exploitation, and a lack of integrity.

Historically, it also referred to a male servant or attendant of low rank. While still used today, it's considered a somewhat archaic term, more common in literary contexts, especially those depicting historical periods or fantasy settings.

A knave prioritizes self-interest, often at the expense of others, and may manipulate situations to achieve their desired outcomes, showing a cunning nature and often a lack of remorse.

A knave is often associated with trickery, betrayal, and selfish behaviour, reflecting a moral vacuum where ethical considerations hold little value.

Knave meaning with examples

• The merchant, revealed to be a knave, had been swindling the townspeople for years, selling overpriced goods of poor quality and falsifying his accounts. His deceptive practices finally caught up to him when a meticulous investigation exposed his fraudulent dealings.
• In the historical novel, the king's advisor was depicted as a cunning knave, constantly whispering false accusations to sow distrust among the court and manoeuvre to seize power. His deceitful behaviour ultimately led to the kingdom's near collapse.
• The charming rogue, thought by some to be a friend, turned out to be a knave, using his charisma to steal the family jewels and disappear without a trace, leaving behind heartbreak and financial ruin.
• The detective knew the suspect was a knave when he noticed a pattern of lies, manipulative behaviour, and carefully constructed alibis, pointing to a scheme to evade justice for a serious crime.
• The villain in the children’s story was portrayed as a knave who attempted to trick the innocent villagers into giving him all of their wealth using lies and intimidation. The villagers had to use teamwork to overcome his deception.