knave

英 [neɪv]美 [nev]
  • n. 无赖；流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克
  • n. (Knave)人名；(瑞典)克纳弗
GRE 畅通词汇

中文词源

knave 无赖，恶棍，梅花杰克

来自古英语cnafa,小伙，仆人，来自Proto-Germanic*knabo,小伙，年青人，来自PIE*gnebh,压，压紧，来自*gen的扩大形式，压，弯，捏，成团，词源同knob,knead.其原义可能为一块木头，圆棍，年青人或培训期的骑士所持有的武器，而乡绅或贵族通常持刀剑。参照bachelor,年青人，词源同bacillus,杆菌。

英文词源

knave (n.)
Old English cnafa "boy, male servant," common Germanic (cognates: Old High German knabo "boy, youth, servant," German knabe "boy, lad," also probably related to Old English cnapa "boy, youth, servant," Old Norse knapi "servant boy," Dutch knaap "a youth, servant," Middle High German knappe "a young squire," German Knappe "squire, shield-bearer"). The original meaning might have been "stick, piece of wood" [Klein]. Sense of "rogue, rascal" first recorded c. 1200. In playing cards, "the jack," 1560s.

双语例句

1. the knave of clubs
梅花杰克
来自《权威词典》
2. Once a knave, ever a knave.
一次成无赖, 永远是无赖.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. Better be a fool than a knave.
宁做傻瓜,不做无赖.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. A crafty knave needs no broker.
狡猾的无赖无需中间人.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. You look a fool at the best, and a knave at worst.
你呀,说好呢不过像个傻瓜, 说坏呢不过像个流氓.
来自辞典例句