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caitiff

 - 3 dictionary results

cai⋅tiff

  [key-tif] Archaic.
Use caitiff in a Sentence
–noun
1. a base, despicable person.
–adjective
2. base; despicable.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME caitif < AF < L captīvus captive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To caitiff
cai·tiff   (kā'tĭf)   
n.  A despicable coward; a wretch.
adj.  Despicable and cowardly.

[Middle English caitif, from Norman French, from Latin captīvus, prisoner; see captive.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

caitiff 
c.1300, from O.N.Fr. caitive "captive, miserable," from L. captivum (see captive). In most Romance languages, it has acquired a pejorative sense.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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