scoundrel English · revision 1363

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈskaʊ̯ndɹəl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is of unknown or uncertain origin.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) 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.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A base, mean, worthless fellow (1589, as ''skoundrell'').^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The spelling ''scoundrel'' is first recorded in 1601.^(Barnhart 1995) 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.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) An adjective use, now rare, dates from 1643.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1589 – a mean rascal.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1601 – the spelling ''scoundrel''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1643 – adjective, villainous.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A dishonest, unprincipled person; a [[villain]] or [[rogue]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[scoundrelly]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[rascal]]

+ * [[knave]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Random House gives ''scamp'', ''rapscallion'' and ''miscreant'' as synonyms and refers to ''knave'' for a discussion.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}