caitiff noun & adjective. ['keɪtɪf] arch. ME.
[Old French caitif captive, var. of chaitif (mod. chétif wretched) from Proto-Romance alt. of Latin captivus CAPTIVE adjective.]
A. noun.
1. a. A captive, a prisoner. ME-E17.
b. A wretched or miserable person, a poor wretch. LME-L17.

2. A base, despicable wretch; a villain; a coward. ME.
b. adjective.
1. Wretched, miserable. ME-L16.

2. Vile, base, wicked; worthless; cowardly. ME.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲