blackguard

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun someone who is morally reprehensible
  2. verb subject to laughter or ridicule
  3. verb use foul or abusive language towards

Etymology

From black + guard, thought to have referred originally to the scullions and lower menials of a court, or of a nobleman's household, who wore black liveries or blacked shoes and boots, or were often stained with soot.

In classic literature

Synonyms

cad, bounder, dog, hound, heel

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