All 6 Uses of
rogue
in
Gulliver's Travels
- However, an unlucky school-boy aimed a hazel nut directly at my head, which very narrowly missed me; otherwise it came with so much violence, that it would have infallibly knocked out my brains, for it was almost as large as a small pumpkin, but I had the satisfaction to see the young rogue well beaten, and turned out of the room.†
Chpt 2 *
- Whereupon, the malicious rogue, watching his opportunity, when I was walking under one of them, shook it directly over my head, by which a dozen apples, each of them near as large as a Bristol barrel, came tumbling about my ears; one of them hit me on the back as I chanced to stoop, and knocked me down flat on my face; but I received no other hurt, and the dwarf was pardoned at my desire, because I had given the provocation.†
Chpt 2
- Here I discovered the roguery and ignorance of those who pretend to write anecdotes, or secret history; who send so many kings to their graves with a cup of poison; will repeat the discourse between a prince and chief minister, where no witness was by; unlock the thoughts and cabinets of ambassadors and secretaries of state; and have the perpetual misfortune to be mistaken.†
Chpt 3
- Upon inquiry I was told, "that their names were to be found on no record, except a few of them, whom history has represented as the vilest of rogues and traitors."†
Chpt 3
- However, a malicious rogue of a skipper went to an officer, and pointing to me, told him, "I had not yet trampled on the crucifix;" but the other, who had received instructions to let me pass, gave the rascal twenty strokes on the shoulders with a bamboo; after which I was no more troubled with such questions.†
Chpt 3
- These rogues, whom I had picked up, debauched my other men, and they all formed a conspiracy to seize the ship, and secure me; which they did one morning, rushing into my cabin, and binding me hand and foot, threatening to throw me overboard, if I offered to stir.†
Chpt 4
Definition:
-
(rogue) not normal and possibly dangerous -- possibly aloneThe exact meaning of rogue can depend upon its context. For example:
- "a rogue state" -- (politics) a dangerous country that ignores international conventions
- "a rogue animal" -- (especially of an elephant) dangerous and not living with or like its kind
- "a rogue trader" -- (finance) an employee who makes unauthorized and improper securities trades
- "a rogue wave" -- (oceanography) a dangerous wave that is much larger than others around it
- "rogue cells" -- (biology) tumor cells
- "He is a rouge." -- someone who is deceitful and unprincipled (though possibly liked despite that)