Definition: rascal

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

rascal
     n 1: a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel [syn: rogue, knave,
           rapscallion, scalawag, scallywag, varlet]
     2: one who is playfully mischievous [syn: imp, scamp, monkey,
         rapscallion, scalawag, scallywag]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Rascal \Ras`cal\, a.
   Of or pertaining to the common herd or common people; low;
   mean; base. ``The rascal many.'' --Spencer. ``The rascal
   people.'' --Shak.

         While she called me rascal fiddler.      --Shak.

Rascal \Ras"cal\, n. [OE. rascaille rabble, probably from an OF.
   racaille, F. racaille the rabble, rubbish, probably akin to
   F. racler to scrape, (assumed) LL. rasiculare, rasicare, fr.
   L. radere, rasum. See Rase, v.]
   1. One of the rabble; a low, common sort of person or
      creature; collectively, the rabble; the common herd; also,
      a lean, ill-conditioned beast, esp. a deer. [Obs.]

            He smote of the people seventy men, and fifty
            thousand of the rascal.               --Wyclif (1
                                                  Kings [1
                                                  Samuel] vi.
                                                  19).

            Poor men alone? No, no; the noblest deer hath them
            [horns] as huge as the rascal.        --Shak.

   2. A mean, trickish fellow; a base, dishonest person; a
      rogue; a scoundrel; a trickster.

            For I have sense to serve my turn in store, And he's
            a rascal who pretends to more.        --Dryden.

RASCAL, n.  A fool considered under another aspect.