caitiff – English noun declension

English noun forms of caitiff

Noun: caitiff
Singularcaitiff
Pluralcaitiffs

Sample Sentences

  • "How now, you scullions and cullions: bring hither a pair of cow's hooves to out face this contumelious caitiff." [1936, Norman Lindsay, The Flyaway Highway, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 44:]
  • ‘There are plenty of Huns who have defected to the Romans, seeking gold and a quiet life. One of my first tasks as paramount chief is to bring those caitiffs back and crucify them.’ [1989, Anthony Burgess, The Devil's Mode:]
  • (After answering no to Alvina’s question) ‘Hmm, I see. A result most heathenish and gross. Then there is nothing more to say about this tedious reckoning. Be gone from here. Pernicious caitiff.’ [2009, From Software, Dark Souls:]
  • (Aaron Burr and Andrew Jackson ride together in Tennessee; Burr narrates): Jackson shouted at me his view of the duel. "Never read such a damned lot of nonsense as the press has been writing! All that hypocritical caterwauling for that Creole bastard (referring to Alexander Hamilton) who fought you of his own free will, just like a gentleman which he wasn't, if you'll forgive me, Colonel! I know you couldn't have met him unless you thought he was one, but he was not, Sir. He was the worst man in this union, as you, Sir, are the best. The best, and that goes for that pusillanimous spotted caitiff of a president (referring to Thomas Jefferson) we got. [1973, Gore Vidal, Burr, chapter 36]

Etymology

From Middle English caitif, from Anglo-Norman caitif (“captive”), akin to Old French chaitif (French chétif) and Middle Dutch keytyf, from a Vulgar Latin *cactīvus alteration via Gaulish influence from Latin captīvus (“captive”); compare Italian cattivo (“bad, wicked”). Doublet of captive. See: Middle English Nouns 'caitif', Latin Nouns 'captīvus', Italian Nouns 'cattivo'.