What does knavish mean?

"Knavish" means dishonest, deceitful, or mischievous in a way that is clever or sly. It implies a cunning and often playful manipulation, rather than outright malice.

Here are some synonyms for "knavish":

* Trickster

* Rogue

* Rascal

* Devious

* Cunning

* Sly

* Artful

Example:

"The knavish salesman convinced the elderly woman to buy a useless product."

Origin:

The word "knavish" comes from the Middle English word "knave," which meant "boy" or "servant." Over time, the word developed negative connotations and came to mean "rogue" or "villain."