Definition of "blackguard" in English

noun

1. (historical) The lowest servant in a household charged with pots, pans, and other kitchen equipment.

2. (dated, chiefly of men) An unprincipled, contemptible person; an untrustworthy person.

   • 1830, Thomas Macaulay, Review of Robert Southey's edition of Pilgrim's Progress, in the Edinburgh Review A man whose manners and sentiments are decidedly below those of his class deserves to be called a blackguard.
   • 2006, Jan Freeman, Blaggards' of the year – Boston Globe "Arrr, keelhaul the blaggards!" wrote Ty Burr in the Globe last summer, pronouncing sentence on the malefactors who brought us the second "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie.

3. (archaic) A man who uses foul language in front of a woman (typically a woman of high standing).

verb

1. (transitive) To revile or abuse in scurrilous language.

2. (intransitive) To act like a blackguard; to be a scoundrel.