varlet
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Old French varlet. Compare valet.
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
varlet (plural varlets)
- (obsolete) A servant or attendant.
- 1843, Thomas Carlyle, Past and Present, book 2, ch. 8, The Electon
- The Winchester Manorhouse has fled bodily, like a Dream of the old Night (...) . House and people, royal and episcopal, lords and varlets, where are they?
- 1843, Thomas Carlyle, Past and Present, book 2, ch. 8, The Electon
- (historical) Specifically, a youth acting as a knight's attendant at the beginning of his training for knighthood.
- (archaic) A rogue or scoundrel.
- 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society 1973, p. 410:
- My lady to be called a nasty Scotch wh–re by such a varlet!—To be sure I wish I had knocked his brains out with the punchbowl.
- 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society 1973, p. 410:
- (obsolete, card games) The jack.
Translations [edit]
a youth acting as a knight's attendant at the beginning of his training for knighthood
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Anagrams [edit]
Old French [edit]
Noun [edit]
varlet m (oblique plural varlets, nominative singular varlets, nominative plural varlet)
- Alternative form of vaslet.
