scapegrace

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Archived revision by DTLHS (talk | contribs) as of 22:56, 1 December 2019.
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

Etymology

From scape +‎ grace

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈskeɪpɡɹeɪs/

Noun

scapegrace (plural scapegraces)

  1. A wild and reckless person (especially a boy); a scoundrel.
    • 2002, Jonathan Shay, Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming:
      An infantry officer in the trenches, Graves wrote of his rocky and scapegrace return to civilian life: "I still had the Army Habit of commandeering anything of uncertain ownership that I found lying about; also a difficulty in telling the truth--it was always easier for me now, when charged with any fault, to lie my way out in Army style."

Quotations

Synonyms