caitiff

plural caitiffs · alternative obsolete catif · alternative obsolete cative · alternative obsolete catyve · alternative obsolete caitive · alternative obsolete caiteff · alternative obsolete caitiffe · alternative obsolete caytiefe · alternative obsolete caytiffe · alternative obsolete caytive

1. A base or despicable person; a wretch.

   "How now, you scullions and cullions: bring hither a pair of cow's hooves to out face this contumelious caitiff."

   1936, Norman Lindsay, The Flyaway Highway, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 44

   2 more examples

   ‘There are plenty of Huns who have defected to the Romans, seeking gold and a quiet life. One of my first tasks as paramount chief is to bring those caitiffs back and crucify them.’

   1989, Anthony Burgess, The Devil's Mode

   (After answering no to Alvina’s question) ‘Hmm, I see. A result most heathenish and gross. Then there is nothing more to say about this tedious reckoning. Be gone from here. Pernicious caitiff.’

   2009, From Software, Dark Souls

2. obsoleteA captive or prisoner, particularly a galley slave.
3. archaicA villain, a coward or wretch.

   1 more example

   (Aaron Burr and Andrew Jackson ride together in Tennessee; Burr narrates): Jackson shouted at me his view of the duel. "Never read such a damned lot of nonsense as the press has been writing! All that hypocritical caterwauling for that Creole bastard (referring to Alexander Hamilton) who fought you of his own free will, just like a gentleman which he wasn't, if you'll forgive me, Colonel! I know you couldn't have met him unless you thought he was one, but he was not, Sir. He was the worst man in this union, as you, Sir, are the best. The best, and that goes for that pusillanimous spotted caitiff of a president (referring to Thomas Jefferson) we got.

   1973, Gore Vidal, Burr, chapter 36

comparative more caitiff · superlative most caitiff · alternative obsolete catif · alternative obsolete cative · alternative obsolete catyve · alternative obsolete caitive · alternative obsolete caiteff · alternative obsolete caitiffe · alternative obsolete caytiefe · alternative obsolete caytiffe · alternative obsolete caytive

1. Especially despicable; cowardly

   Beshrew those caitiff scouts that conspired to sully his honest name by such an imputation!

   1809, Washington Irving, Knickerbocker's History of New York

   2 more examples

   Commingled are they with that caitiff choir Of Angels, who have not rebellious been, Nor faithful were to God, but were for self.

   1867, Dante Alighieri, translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Divine Comedy

   Is Honor gone into his grave? Hath Faith become a caitiff knave And Selfhood turned into a slave To work in Mammon’s cave, Fair Lady?

   1875, Sidney Lanier, The Symphony