scapegraces

It is true, the fellow who gave this all hail thrust his tongue in his cheek to some scapegraces like himself; but as the bonnet maker did not see this byplay, he generously threw him a silver penny to encourage his respect for martialists.

The Fair Maid of Perth 2008

Our boys coming from school give themselves such airs, the young scapegraces! our girls, going to parties, are so tricked out by fond mammas — a social history of London in the middle of the nineteenth century.

John Leech's Pictures of Life and Character 2006

In truth, he began upon this way early: of all the violent, daring, disobedient scapegraces that ever caused an affectionate parent pain, he was certainly the most incorrigible; there was no beating him, or coaxing him, or taming him.

The Memoires of Barry Lyndon 2006

Besides convicts and assigned servants whom we transported to our colonies, we discharged on their shores scapegraces and younger sons, for whom dissipation, despair, and bailiffs made the old country uninhabitable.

The Virginians 2006

Did I know of a boy who pretended to such a character, I would forbid my scapegraces to keep company with him.

Roundabout Papers 2006

Kuragin and Dolokhov were at that time notorious among the rakes and scapegraces of Petersburg.

War and Peace 2003

Here were the flow of soul and of stout, long pipes, long yarns, and tolerably long credits; and the humble scapegraces of the town resorted thither for the pleasures of a club-life, and often revelled deep into the small hours of the morning.

Wylder's Hand 2003

Mr. Hlopakov knows how to gain the favour of rich scapegraces from Petersburg; smokes, drinks, and plays cards with them; calls them by their Christian names.

A Sportsman's Sketches 2003

The Bold Lions included six of the most raffish young scapegraces of Araminta Station.

Araminta Station Vance, Jack, 1916- 1988

Forty young scapegraces expressed their thanks to the "sorrowful wolf" in their different ways before second lesson.

Tom Brown's Schooldays Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 1971