CAITIFF

a. n.

5 definitions — Webster’s Dictionary (1828)


1.
a.

Captive; wretched; unfortunate. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2.
a.

Base; wicked and mean; cowardly; despicable. Arnold had sped his caitiff flight. W. Irving.

3.
n.

A captive; a prisoner. [Obs.] Avarice doth tyrannize over her caitiff and slave. Holland.

4.
n.

A wretched or unfortunate man. [Obs.] Chaucer.

5.
n.

A mean, despicable person; one whose character meanness and wickedness meet.