varlet (varlet)

[ One of these laws [of Richard II.) enacts "that no var lets called yeomen" should wear liveries; the other, "that no livery should be given under colour of a Gild or frater nity, or of any other a ociation, whether of gentry or ser- vants, or of commonalty." English Gilds (E. E. T. S.), p. cxlviii. Call here my varlet ; I'll unarm again. Shak., T. and C., i. 1. 1. Why, you were best get one o' the varlets of the city, a serjeant. B. Jonson, Every Man in his Humour, iv. 7. Three varlets that the king had hir'd Did likely him betray. Robin Hood Rescuing Will Stully (Child's Ballads, V. 283), 2. Hence, one in a subordinate or menial pos i- tion; a low fellow; a scoundrel; a rascal; a rogue: a term of contempt or reproach. Was not this a seditious varlet , to tell them this to their beards? Latimer , 3d Sermon bef. Edw. VI., 1549. Ana . My name is Ananias. Sub . Out, the varlet That cozened the apostles! B. Jonson, Alchemist, ii. 1. Well, I am glad you are not the dull, insensible varlet you pretended to be. Sheridan, The Rivals, iv. 2. 3t. The coat-card now called the knave or jack (in French, valet ).