a. 1. Like or characteristic of a knave{ 3 }; given to knavery; trickish; fraudulent; dishonest; villainous; as, a knavish fellow, or a knavish trick. “Knavish politicians.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Mischievous; roguish; waggish; rascally. [ 1913 Webster ]
Cupid is knavish lad, Thus to make poor females mad. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. 1. In a knavish manner; dishonestly; fraudulently. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Mischievously; waggishly; roguishly. “Knavishly witty.” Gayton. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality or state of being knavish; knavery; dishonesty. [ 1913 Webster ]