rascally, a.
(ˈrɑːskəlɪ, -æ-)
Also 6–7 rask-.
[f. rascal n. + -ly1.]
† 1. Forming one or part of the rabble or common sort. Obs. = rascal a. 1.
| 1642 J. Eaton Honey-c. Free Justif. 47 Like rascally souldiers. 1661 Pepys Diary 15 Sept., There was none of any quality, but poor and rascally people. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. iii. 43 All the drudges and rascally People which Courts and Armies commonly draw after them. |
† b. Poor, worthless.
Obs. = rascal a. 2.
| 1600 Surflet Countrie Farme iii. xviii. 462 All the small and rascallie sort of fruit which you shall find vpon them. |
2. Low, mean, or unprincipled in character or conduct; knavish.
| 1598 Shakes. Merry W. ii. ii. 276 At that time the iealious-rascally-knaue her husband will be forth. 1682 Lond. Gaz. No. 1688/4 Some rascally Boys (whom we call here Coal stealers). 1752 Hume Pol. Disc. x. 188 Our common soldiers are such a low rascally set of people. 1816 Scott Antiq., I have so often warned you of the knavery of that rascally quack. 1887 Spectator 5 Nov. 1496 The mock-marriage effected with the connivance of a rascally valet. |
3. Appropriate to a rascal or rascals.
| 1596 B. Jonson Ev. Man in Hum. i. iii, These same abominable, vile,..rascally verses. a 1677 Barrow Serm. Wks. 1716 I. 276 As it is a raskally delight..which men feel in wreaking spite. 1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 20 By a rascally Recommendation to the Board, he endeavours to reward him at the publick Cost. 1818 Scott Rob Roy viii, A rascally calumny, which I was determined to probe to the bottom. 1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Hallib. i. xvii. 94 This is not the first time he has attempted a rascally action under cover of my name. |
4. Wretched, miserable, mean.
| 1606 Shakes. Tr. & Cr. v. iii. 101 A whorson rascally tisicke so troubles me..that [etc.]. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 375 At the foot of these Mountains there are some rascally Innes. 1728 Morgan Hist. Algiers I. Pref. 18, I am unpardonable in quoting noble Greek authors from rascally Translations. 1830 Cobbett Rur. Rides (1885) II. 337 A rascally heap of sand and rock, and swamp, called Prince Edward's Island. 1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Col. Reformer (1891) 317 If we rescue the cattle we can be summoned..all the way to that rascally hole of a township. |
| Comb. 1821 Cobbett Rur. Rides (1885) I. 21 A more rascally looking place I never set my eyes on. |
So
ˈrascally adv., in a rascally manner.
| 1627 E. F. Hist. Edw. II (1680) 128 A garment..tatter'd rascally. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones viii. iii, You have used me rascally, and I will not pay you a farthing. 1824 Murder Mr. Weare 225 They two have used me rascally. |