rapscallion

/ræp'skæljən/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
rapscallion

A young rapscallion hides a friend's hat behind his back with a sly grin.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A mischievous person, especially a child: A "rapscallion" is someone, often a child or young person, who behaves in a playful, slightly naughty, or troublesome way, but not in a seriously harmful manner.
    • A rascal or scoundrel: In a more serious or archaic sense, it can refer to a dishonest, disreputable, or worthless person.
Usage Examples
  • Noun (playfully mischievous):
    • That little rapscallion hid my keys again as a joke.
    • The teacher had a soft spot for the class rapscallion, who was always full of energy and harmless pranks.
  • Noun (scoundrel):
    • The novel's villain was a charming but untrustworthy rapscallion who swindled the townsfolk.
    • He was known in the old tales as a rapscallion who would cheat at cards.
Advanced Usage
  • The word "rapscallion" is somewhat old-fashioned and literary. Its use often carries a tone of humorous affection when describing mischievous behavior, or a tone of mild, sometimes archaic, disapproval when describing a rogue.
  • It can be used as a term of endearment for a mischievous child:
Variants and Related Words
  • Rascal (noun): A more common synonym with a very similar range of meanings, from a playful troublemaker to a dishonest person.
  • Scamp (noun): Primarily means a mischievous person, especially a child.
  • Scoundrel (noun): A person, typically a man, who is dishonest or unscrupulous. This is closer to the second, more negative meaning of "rapscallion."
Synonyms
  • Mischief-maker: A person who causes mischief.
  • Imp: A small, mischievous devil or sprite; often used for a mischievous child.
  • Rogue: A dishonest or unprincipled man. Can also be used humorously for a mischievous person.
  • Ne'er-do-well: A person who is lazy and irresponsible.
Related Phrases and Idioms
  • While there are no common phrasal verbs with "rapscallion," the word itself can be used in descriptive phrases.
    • A band of rapscallions: A group of mischievous or disreputable individuals.
    • The rapscallion streak in him: The inherent tendency to be mischievous or roguish.
rapscallion

A young rapscallion hides a friend's hat behind his back with a sly grin.

Noun
  1. one who is playfully mischievous
  2. a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

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