cunning etymology

Etymology:

The word "cunning" comes from the Old English word "cunnan," which means "to know" or "to have skill." It is related to the Old Norse word "kunna," which also means "to know."

Meaning:

1. Having or showing cleverness or skill in achieving something, often by using deceit or trickery: "a cunning thief"
2. Skillful or clever: "a cunning plan"
3. (Dated) Knowing or aware of something: "I'm not cunning of his plans"

Origin:

The word "cunning" was first used in the 12th century. It originally had a positive connotation, meaning "skilled" or "knowledgeable." However, over time, the word acquired a more negative meaning, and it is now often used to describe someone who is dishonest or deceitful.

cunning relate terms

• couth

  Etymology Old French cooth known familiar courteous Medieval Latin couthus kno

• uncouth

  Etymology The word uncouth comes from Middle English uncouthe which in turn origina

• could

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It traces the evolut

• cunning

  Etymology The word cunning comes from the Old English word cunnan which means to k

• cunning

  Etymology The word cunning comes from the Old English word cunnan which means to k

• canny

  Etymology Old Irish canannach Middle Irish canandach Proto Celtic kanant ako s Me

• uncanny

  Etymology Uncanny derives from Middle English oncunnend meaning unknown or stran

• craft

  Etymology Old English cræft from Proto Germanic kraptiz meaning strength powe

• shrewd

  Etymology The word shrewd comes from the Old English word scrēawd meaning cunning

• subtle

  Etymology Sub Latin prefix meaning under slightly or less Tilis Latin adjec

• quaint

  Etymology The word quaint comes from the Old French word coint meaning refined or

• perspicacity

  Etymology Perspicacity originates from the Latin word perspicacitās which is deriv

• crafty

  Etymology The word crafty comes from the Old English term cræftig meaning strong

• guile

  Etymology The word guile comes from the Old French word guile which in turn derives