Meaning
A base or despicable person; a wretch.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
From Middle English caitif, from Anglo-Norman caitif (“captive”), akin to Old French chaitif (French chétif) and Middle Dutch keytyf, from a Vulgar Latin *cactīvus alteration via Gaulish influence from Latin captīvus (“captive”); compare Italian cattivo (“bad, wicked”). Doublet of captive.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
basebeachcomberbeggarblighterbumbummercowardcowardlycravenderelict
NYT Puzzle Appearances
No published puzzle dates on file for this word yet. It is part of the official NYT Spelling Bee word list for 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.