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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

caitiff en · ADJ

Pronunciation

  • /ˈkeɪtɪf/
  • (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

From Middle English caitif, from Anglo-Norman caitif (“captive”), akin to Old French chaitif (French chétif) and Middle Dutch keytyf, from a Vulgar Latin *cactīvus alteration via Gaulish influence from Latin captīvus (“captive”); compare Italian cattivo (“bad, wicked”). Doublet of captive.

Meanings

  1. Especially despicable; cowardly
    • Commingled are they with that caitiff choir Of Angels, who have not rebellious been, Nor faithful were to God, but were for self. 1867, Dante Alighieri, translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Divine Comedy:
    • Is Honor gone into his grave? Hath Faith become a caitiff knave And Selfhood turned into a slave To work in Mammon’s cave, Fair Lady? 1875, Sidney Lanier, The Symphony:
    • Beshrew those caitiff scouts that conspired to sully his honest name by such an imputation! 1809, Washington Irving, Knickerbocker's History of New York:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
cative alternative, obsolete lexicographic
more caitiff Degree=Cmp lexicographic
catyve alternative, obsolete lexicographic
catif alternative, obsolete lexicographic
caytiffe alternative, obsolete lexicographic
caytiefe alternative, obsolete lexicographic
caitive alternative, obsolete lexicographic
most caitiff Degree=Sup lexicographic
caiteff alternative, obsolete lexicographic
caytive alternative, obsolete lexicographic
caitiffe alternative, obsolete lexicographic

caitiff en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /ˈkeɪtɪf/
  • (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

From Middle English caitif, from Anglo-Norman caitif (“captive”), akin to Old French chaitif (French chétif) and Middle Dutch keytyf, from a Vulgar Latin *cactīvus alteration via Gaulish influence from Latin captīvus (“captive”); compare Italian cattivo (“bad, wicked”). Doublet of captive.

Meanings

  1. A base or despicable person; a wretch.
    • (After answering no to Alvina’s question) ‘Hmm, I see. A result most heathenish and gross. Then there is nothing more to say about this tedious reckoning. Be gone from here. Pernicious caitiff.’ 2009, From Software, Dark Souls:
    • ‘There are plenty of Huns who have defected to the Romans, seeking gold and a quiet life. One of my first tasks as paramount chief is to bring those caitiffs back and crucify them.’ 1989, Anthony Burgess, The Devil's Mode:
    • "How now, you scullions and cullions: bring hither a pair of cow's hooves to out face this contumelious caitiff." 1936, Norman Lindsay, The Flyaway Highway, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 44:
  2. (obsolete) A captive or prisoner, particularly a galley slave.
  3. (archaic) A villain, a coward or wretch.
    • (Aaron Burr and Andrew Jackson ride together in Tennessee; Burr narrates): Jackson shouted at me his view of the duel. "Never read such a damned lot of nonsense as the press has been writing! All that hypocritical caterwauling for that Creole bastard (referring to Alexander Hamilton) who fought you of his own free will, just like a gentleman which he wasn't, if you'll forgive me, Colonel! I know you couldn't have met him unless you thought he was one, but he was not, Sir. He was the worst man in this union, as you, Sir, are the best. The best, and that goes for that pusillanimous spotted caitiff of a president (referring to Thomas Jefferson) we got. 1973, Gore Vidal, Burr, chapter 36

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
caitive alternative, obsolete lexicographic
caiteff alternative, obsolete lexicographic
caytiefe alternative, obsolete lexicographic
caitiffe alternative, obsolete lexicographic
caytiffe alternative, obsolete lexicographic
catyve alternative, obsolete lexicographic
caitiffs Number=Plur lexicographic
cative alternative, obsolete lexicographic
catif alternative, obsolete lexicographic
caytive alternative, obsolete lexicographic