varlet

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“
Compare the sense of the word varlet or valet in English, which was once "a more honourable title; for all young gentlemen, untill they come to be eighteen years of age, were termed so" (Cotgrave), and of the same word in Old French, which was "un jeune homme de condition honorable" (J. Loth, Les Mabinogion_, I, page 40, note).

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Definitions (10)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (3)

  1. noun An attendant or servant.
  2. noun A knight's page.
  3. noun A rascal; a knave.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (3)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (2)

Toggle WordNet definitions WordNet (2)

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Examples (50)

  • They had a box to stand on, which let them reach the eyepieces, and a helper—what they called a varlet here—to move the tripod around for them. —  Map.html
  • She frowned, and looked over to see that the varlet was out of hearing distance. —  Map.html
  • I am beholden to Mistress Walton; she knew I had some thoughts thereanent [about it], and she hath done me a good turn to name it The varlet, as he was then called, followed Mr Altham into the shop. —  The White Lady of Hazelwood A Tale of the Fourteenth Century
  • But varlet, at that date, was a term of wide signification, including any type of personal attendant. —  The White Lady of Hazelwood A Tale of the Fourteenth Century
  • Every pang fitteth us for more service; and I think thou shouldst find, in most instances, that the higher and greater the service to which the varlet is called, the deeper the previous suffering which fitteth him therefor. —  The Well in the Desert An Old Legend of the House of Arundel
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This word has been looked up 95 times.

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English, from Old French, variant of vaslet; see valet.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from Middle English varlet, verlet, from Old French varlet, also vaslet, vallet, vadlet, valet, French valet, a groom, younker, squire, stripling, youth, servant, for *vassalet, from Middle Latin *vassaletus, dim.of vas-sallus, a servant, vassal: see vassal. Doublet of valet.
 

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/ˈvɑrlɛt/
by American Heritage

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