Also (Sc.) 6 knaship, knaifschip, 7 knawship. [f. KNAVE sb. + -SHIP.]
1. The condition of being a knave: used with a possessive, as a mock title.
1589. Pappe w. Hatchet, B. Your Knaueship brake you[r] fast on the Bishops.
1680. [Mrs. Behn ?], Revenge, or Match Newgate, I. i. 6. What, Mr. Trickwell, does your Knaveship dare walk the street?
1767. Thornton, trans. Plautus, II. 322. Let him try the cause … whether too your knaveship Should not be clapt in prison.
1887. Swinburne, Locrine, II. ii. 28. The liar will say no more—his heart misgives His knaveship.
† 2. Sc. The quantity of corn or meal payable to a miller’s servant (cf. KNAVE sb. 2, quot. 1820) as one of the sequels or small dues levied on each lot of corn ground at a thirlage mill. Obs.
15[?]. Aberdeen Reg. (Jam.). Prewing of the auld statutis & vse that thai bed wownt to hef of the multur of ilk boll, and quhat knaship.
1575. Burgh Rec. Glasgow (Maitl. Cl., 1832), 37. Taking furth pairof of v multours and thre knaifschips of malt.
1596. Reg. Mag. Sig. (1890), 176/1. Cum astrictis multuris acrarum de F. vocat. le knaifschip.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 3 (Act Will. c. 9). Ane free man or ane free halder, sall gif for multure at the milne … of tuentie bolles, ane firlot (as knawship).
1754. Erskine, Princ. Sc. Law, II. ix. § 19. The sequels are the small parcels of corn or meal given as a fee to the servants, over and above what is paid to the multurer; and they pass by the name of knaveship.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., viii. Regular payment of … multure, lock, gowpen, and knaveship, and all the various exactions now commuted for money.
