Blackguard

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈblæɡəd/
• US IPA: /ˈblæɡɚd/

Origin

black + guard, thought to have referred originally to the scullions and lower menials of a court, or of a nobleman's household, who wore black liveries, blacked shoes and boots, or were often stained with soot.

Full definition of blackguard

Noun

1. (dated) A scoundrel; an unprincipled contemptible person; an untrustworthy person.
• MacaulayA man whose manners and sentiments are decidedly below those of his class deserves to be called a blackguard.

Usage notes

Usually, only used to refer to a male person.

Blackguard may also refer to a man who uses foul language in front of a woman, typically a woman of high standing in society.

Verb

1. To revile or abuse in scurrilous language.