Etymologically
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scoundrel

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈskaʊ̯ndɹəl/[1]

Etymology

It is of unknown or uncertain origin.[2][3][4][5][6] Etymonline mentions suggestions linking it with shun, or with Anglo-French escoundre “to hide”, from Latin condere “to put away”, though centuries separate the two words.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

A base, mean, worthless fellow (1589, as skoundrell).[7][3][4][5]

Semantic evolution

The spelling scoundrel is first recorded in 1601.[3] According to the OED, as cited by Etymonline, the sense has strengthened since the 18th century from a petty villain to an audacious rascal without moral scruple.[4][7] An adjective use, now rare, dates from 1643.[7]

Timeline

  • 1589 – a mean rascal.[7][3][5]
  • 1601 – the spelling scoundrel.[3]
  • 1643 – adjective, villainous.[7]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A dishonest, unprincipled person; a villain or rogue.

Word family

  • scoundrelly
  • rascal
  • knave

Usage notes

Random House gives scamp, rapscallion and miscreant as synonyms and refers to knave for a discussion.[6]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  3. ^ a b c d e Barnhart, Robert K., ed. (1995), The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, New York: HarperCollins
  4. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
  7. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press