quaint

Definition

Of a person: cunning, crafty.

Etymology

From Middle English queynte, quoynte, from Anglo-Norman cointe, queinte and Old French cointe (“pretty, clever, knowing”), from Latin cognitus, past participle of cognōscō (“I know”).

Example Sentences

• "But you, my Lord, were glad to be imploy'd, / To shew how queint an Orator you are."
• "describe races and games, / Or tilting furniture, imblazon'd shields, / Impresses quaint, caparisons and steeds, / Bases and tinsel trappings […]."
• "Till that there entered on the other side / A straunger knight, from whence no man could reed, / In quyent disguise, full hard to be descride […]."