arrantest

The Lord above knows who it was told her: for I am the arrantest villain that ever walked upon two legs if ever it came out of my mouth.

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

He slyly adds: "They were like enough to do it, for they were the arrantest apes in their religion I ever read of."

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure

We have seen him, too, as the ringleader in mischief and the arrantest rogue in the play.

The Growth of English Drama

Cook tells us that men and women of all ranks were the "arrantest thieves upon the face of the earth," yet they seemed to feel that the act of theft was wrong, for if charged with being guilty when they were in reality innocent, they were often moved to passionate indignation.

The Cannibal Islands Captain Cook's Adventure in the South Seas

The liquor soon mounted into their heads, as it generally does even with the arrantest topers newly landed from sea, and they began capering about most obstreperously.

Moby-Dick, or, The Whale

_Kemp_, nor Singer, nor all the litter of fooles that _now_ come drawling behinde them, neuer plaid the Clownes more naturally then the arrantest Sot of you all. "[ix: 4] George Chalmers, however, discovered an entry in the burial register of St. Saviour's, Southwark --" 1603,

Kemps Nine Daies Wonder Performed in a Daunce from London to Norwich

There were none, whose behaviour shined brighter in the eyes of men, nor whose heart was more loathsome in the eyes of God; for they did all to be seen and talked of; and (as it were) to ride in triumph upon the tongues of men; and, in fine, were the arrantest puritans in the world, those only of a later date excepted, who, it is confessed, have infinitely outdone their original.

Sermons Preached Upon Several Occasions. Vol. VII.

And thus much for men's pretences of the will, when they are called upon to give upon a religious account; according to which, a man may be well enough said (as the common word is) to be all heart, and yet the arrantest miser in the world.

Sermons Preached Upon Several Occasions. Vol. I.

It has been observed that the most refined nations, that made the greatest show of wisdom, were the arrantest fools in religion.

Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation)

Neither can I excuse either side of this infirmity; I have heard the arrantest drivellers _pro_ and _con_ commended for their smartness even by men of tolerable judgment; and the best performances exploded as nonsense and stupidity.

The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D. — Volume 09 Contributions to The Tatler, The Examiner, The Spectator, and The Intelligencer