knavery

[ ney-vuh-ree ]

noun

, plural knav·er·ies.

1. action or practice characteristic of a knave.
2. unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest dealing; trickery.
3. a knavish act or practice.

knavery

/ ˈneɪvərɪ /

noun

1. a deceitful or dishonest act
2. dishonest conduct; trickery

Word History and Origins

Origin of knavery¹

First recorded in 1520–30; knave + -ery

Example Sentences

I could grudge him, for his knavery and dissimulation, though I do not envy much the having the same place myself.

From Project Gutenberg

They are,” said he, “of much sincerity and integrity far from the craft and knavery of men among us.

From Project Gutenberg

I have played the knave so long with you that it is perhaps the greatest knavery I can commit to be honest at last.

From Project Gutenberg

That a due rigour and restraint be laid upon the second, that villainy and knavery might not be encouraged by a law.

From Project Gutenberg

The young mail being hid, after some knavery, behind the arras, in come our quidam and that prelate.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• calamity
• catastrophe
• corruption
• crime
• harm
• hatred
• ill
• misery
• pain
• sin
• suffering
• wrong