rascally

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   dishonest, unprincipled, or characteristic of a rascal

   The rascally broker concealed the fee until the contract had been signed.

2. 2
   adj

   mischievously bold in an appealing or humorous way

   Her rascally grin revealed that the practical joke had been hers.

3. 3
   adv

   in the dishonest or mean manner of a rascal

   The landlord had acted rascally by charging the same deposit twice.

Formed in English from rascal and the adjective-forming suffix -y. Rascal originally denoted low-status people or the poorest deer in a herd before developing the senses 'dishonest person' and, more mildly, 'mischievous rogue.'

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