caitiff
- adjective
- /ˈkeɪtɪf/
- Offensive
- The caitiff thief stole from the elderly woman.
Examples
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The caitiff actions of the traitor sparked outrage among his fellow soldiers.
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The knight refused to yield to the caitiff foe who beset him with treachery.
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He was reviled as a caitiff for betraying his comrades in their time of need.
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Many a caitiff heart quailed before the king’s stern gaze.
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He is such a caitiff for abandoning his friends.
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He was reviled as a caitiff for betraying his comrades in their time of need.
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The townspeople considered him a caitiff for running at the first sign of danger.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Etymology
The adjective caitiff has the same origin, from old French caitif and Latin captivus meaning 'captive' or 'taken', and it connects to the English word captive. That's why calling someone caitiff describes them as mean and cowardly.