scapegrace

Definition

A wild and reckless person (especially a boy); a scoundrel.

Etymology

From scape (“(archaic) escape”) + grace (“grace of god”).

Example Sentences

• "He is now laden with that superabundant energy which makes a fool of a man, and a scapegrace of a boy, and he wants to work it off."
• "An infantry officer in the trenches, Graves wrote of his rocky and scapegrace return to civilian life: "I still had the Army Habit of commandeering anything of uncertain ownership that I found lying about; also a difficulty in telling the truth--it was always easier for me now, when charged with any fault, to lie my way out in Army style.""