archful

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

arch +‎ -ful

Adjective[edit]

archful (comparative more archful, superlative most archful)

  1. Arch; knowing.
    • 1825, “A Sketch”, in The Literary Magnet, page 145:
      And then there is a glance of playfulness, And archful innocence, that steals upon The heart, and wakens it to love.
    • 1928, University of Washington, University of Washington publications in language and literature, page 44:
      His better verse is direct, forceful, sinuous, and pithy, and has the Gallic abandon and archful insouciance.
    • 1959, Nonplus - Issues 1-4, page 59:
      When he returned to Dublin and wrote "my intended future is, until the 20th October, Morehampton, Dublin", Theresa made archful reference to his " future intended."