2 entries 1 source
Caitiff
Open directlyWebster's 1828 Dictionary · 1828 1 of 2
Part of speech: noun (n.)
1. A captive; a prisoner. [Obs.] Avarice doth tyrannize over her caitiff and slave. Holland.
2. A wretched or unfortunate man. [Obs.] Chaucer.
3. A mean, despicable person; one whose character meanness and wickedness meet.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary · 1828 2 of 2
Part of speech: adjective (a.)
1. Captive; wretched; unfortunate. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. Base; wicked and mean; cowardly; despicable. Arnold had sped his caitiff flight. W. Irving.