caitiff

Meanings

Noun

• A base or despicable person; a wretch
• A captive or prisoner, particularly a galley slave
• A villain, a coward or wretch

Adjective

• Especially despicable; cowardly

Origin

• From Middle English caitif, from Anglo-Norman caitif ("captive"), akin to Old French chaitif (French chétif) and Middle Dutch keytyf, from a Vulgar Latin alteration of Latin captīvus ("captive"); compare Italian cattivo ("bad, wicked"). captive.